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H 







By DAVID POTTER 


I FASTEN A 
BRACELET 


‘ ‘ Fine Character Drawing ’ ’ 


Colored Frontispiece by Martin Justice 
i2mo, decorated cloth, $1.25 net. 


THE LADY OF 
THE SPUR 


“ A Story of Strong Men and 
Healthy Women” 


Colored Frontispiece by Clarence F. Underwood 
12010, decorated cloth, $1.50 


J. B. Lippincott Company 

PUBLISHERS PHILADELPHIA 
























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































' 




























































ALL TltAT GOLDEN AFTERNOON THEY SAILED, AND ALL THE AFTERNOON 

THEY TALKED 


Page 135 


» »TOiyW WW j l 












AN ACCIDENTAL 
HONEYMOON 


By 

DAVID POTTER 

Author of “ The Lady of the Spur, ” “I Fasten a Bracelet etc. 


/ J 

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR BY 

GEORGE W. GAGE 


AND DECORATIONS BY 

EDWARD STRATTON HOLLOWAY ^ 


jSgl 


PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON 

J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 

1911 




©CLA30 0409 


<y 






ILLUSTRATIONS 

1 J AGE 

All that Golden Afternoon They Sailed, and all 
the Afternoon They Talked Frontispiece 

“But You’ve Been Standing in the Water all This 

Time! What am I Thinking of!” 9^ 

He Waved His Hat from the Gate 19*" 

Miss Yarnell Mounted the Pair of Steps from the 

Cabin 43 

“I’m Afraid You’ll Find the Cabin-Door Catch is 
Broken,” said Madge Yarnell in an Undertone C5 

“Good-Morning, Patience-on- a-Monument” 66 

“ Betty, Allow Me to Drink Your Health in Jersey 

Molly Wine” 71'-^ 

All the Chivalry in Fessenden’s Nature Stirred 

at Her Words 127 





MR. FRANCIS CHARLES MCDONALD, OF PRINCE- 
TON UNIVERSITY, IS THE AUTHOR OF THE 
POEM, “BOB WHITE,” MADE USE OF IN THIS 
STORY. 1 BEG TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE 
FOR HIS PERMISSION TO AVAIL MYSELF OF IT. 





AN ACCIDENTAL 
HONEYMOON 


Fessenden put the girl gently dawn on the 
flat rock at the edge of the stream. 

44 There you are, little woman,” he said. 44 You 
really ought to be careful how you go splashing 

about. If you hadn’t screamed in time ” 

44 Did I scream ? ” 

“Rather! Lucky you did.” 

44 I didn’t scream because I was afraid. I 
stumbled and — and I thought I saw an eel in 
that pool, ready to bite me. Eels do bite.” 

44 Undoubtedly — horribly ! ” 

He stepped back with a little flourish of the 
hat in his hand. 44 I beg your pardon,” he said. 
44 I took you for a child. That dress, you know, 
and ” 

7 


H 




A 



“ And my being in paddling.” 

“ I’m afraid I’ve been rather presumptuous.” 

The color in her cheeks deepened a little. “ Not 
at all. It’s my own fault. This afternoon — just 
for an hour or two — I’ve been dreaming — pre- 
tending I wasn’t grown up. It’s so sad to be 
grown up.” 

His eyes sparkled with instant sympathy. 
“ After all, are you so very old? ” 

She was seventeen or thereabouts, he guessed — 
a girl lately arrived at womanhood. Her hair 
was arranged in a bewildering fashion, requir- 
ing a ribbon here and there to keep its blonde 
glory within bounds. Beneath the dark brows 
and darker lashes blue eyes showed in sudden 
flashes — like the glint of bayonets from an am- 
bush. The delicately rounded cheeks, just now a 
little blushing, and the red-lipped mouth, made 
her look absurdly young. 

She had sunk to a seat upon the rock. One 
foot was doubled under her, and the other, a 
white vision veiled by the water, dangled uncer- 
tainly, as if inclined to seek the retirement pos- 
sessed by its fellow. His gaze lingered on the 
curve of throat and shoulder. 

“ If Phidias were only alive ” he said. 

“ Phidias? ” 








hut you’ve been standing in the water all this time ! 

WHAT AM I THINKING OF ! ” 




“ A Greek friend of mine, dead some years. 
He would have loved to turn you into marble.” 

She gave a little crowing laugh, delightful 
to hear. 44 I’d much rather stay alive.” 

“ You are right. Better be a Greek goddess 
alive, than one dead.” 

She laughed again. 44 You’re — unusual.” 

He bowed with another flourish. 44 Then, so 
are you.” 

Their eyes met frankly. 44 Thank you for com- 
ing to my rescue,” she said. 44 But you’ve been 
standing in the water all this time ! What am 
I thinking of ! Come up here.” 

She sprang to her feet, as if to make room 
for him upon the rock, but sank back quickly. 
He gave her a scrutinizing glance. 

44 What was that I heard? ” 

44 I asked you to get out of that horrid water. 
It must be frightfully cold.” 

He shook an admonitory finger. 44 Bravely 
done, but you can’t fool me so easily. I heard 
a moan, and — and I won’t remark that you’re 
crying.” 

44 You’d — better not.” 

44 You hurt yourself when you stumbled.” His 
firm hand was on her shoulder. 




“ No — n-o. Well, even if I did turn my ankle, 
I’m not crying. It’s very tactless of you to 
notice.” 

He tried to catch a glimpse of the slim leg 
through the dancing water. It swung back in 
vigorous embarrassment. 

“ The other ankle, then ? ” 

“ Ye-es.” 

“ I’m awfully sorry. Can’t I do something? ” 

“ I think I’ll go home.” 

“ But you can’t walk.” 

“ I think so. Isn’t this just too tiresome? I 
will walk.” 

She rose to her feet at the word, but, once 
there, gave a cry, and stood tottering. His arm 
caught her about the waist. 

“Where do you live? Near here anywhere?” 

“ Oh, yes; just up the lane. But it might as 
well be ten miles.” Her brave laugh was half 
a sob. 

“ Not a bit of it ! Hold tight.” 

She flushed and gave an astonished wriggle as 
she found herself lifted and borne up the lane. 

“ Don’t squirm so, child,” he ordered. 

“You’re carrying me!” 

“Oh, no! We’re playing lawn-tennis.” 

“Goodness! You fairly grabbed me.” 


10 


44 Perhaps I ought to have asked your per- 
mission, but if I had you might have refused it/’ 

She laughed. 44 I think I should.” 

44 IPs too late now,” he said contentedly. 44 Does 
the foot hurt? ” 

44 Not much, thank you — thank you, Mr. ” 

He was obdurately silent. She tried again. 

44 Thank you, Mr. Please, what’s your 

name ? ” 

44 4 Puddin’ Tame,’ ” he laughed. 

44 4 Where do you live?’” she chanted de- 
lightedly. 

44 4 Down the lane.’ No, you live down the 
lane.” 

44 It isn’t far now. Are you tired? ” 

44 Oh, no ! I’m doing very well, thank you.” 

44 Perhaps you’d better rest.” 

44 By no means. I hope you live over the hills 
and far away.” 

44 You aren’t bashful, are you, Mr. Puddin’ 
Tame? ” 

44 H’m.” He peered down at the injured ankle. 
44 How’s the foot? ” 

44 A little — cold.” 

44 I’m afraid the wrench has interfered with the 
circulation. Poor child ! ” 

44 Really, it doesn’t hurt — not much.” 


11 


44 I see you were born to be a heroine.” 

44 And you’re a 4 knight comes riding by, rid- 
ing by, riding by ’ ” 

44 4 So early in the morning,’ ” he finished. 44 If 
the knight were sure you thought so ” — his eyes 
were on her cheek — 44 he might claim a knight's 
reward.” 

She fell abruptly silent. 

The Maryland spring was well advanced, and 
the path along which they moved was carpeted 
with flowers. The blue bells of the wild myrtle 
swung almost at their feet. Scarlet runners 
rioted over the low stone wall at their hand. 
The sycamores and oaks were clothed in tenderest 
green. Beyond the left-hand wall, rows of peach- 
trees marched away, flaunting banners cf pink 
and white. 

Fessenden heard the tinkle of the brook, winding 
in the shadow of everhanging banks. Sights and 
sounds lulled him. He felt himself in harmony 
with the quiet mood of the girl in his arms. 

Truly this was an unexpected adventure ! His 
eyes rested upon the piquant face so near his 
own. It possessed a refinement of outline that 
was belied by the humble fashion of her gown 
and by the position in which he had surprised 
her. The precocious daughter of a farmer, per- 


12 


haps, or at best the neglected child of one of 
the war-ruined “ first families of the South.” 

He found himself speculating upon the sort 
of house he was likely to discover at the end of 
the lane — perhaps a crumbling colonial man- 
sion, equipped with a Confederate colonel and a 
faithful former slave or two. 

He smiled unconsciously at the red mouth, and 
was somewhat disconcerted to find the blue eyes 
watching him. 

“ Were you making fun of me, Mr. Puddin’ 
Tame? ” 

“Word of honor, no! I was smiling to be 
in harmony with the day, I fancy.” 

“ Maryland is lovely. You’re a Northern man, 
aren’t you? ” 

“ I freely admit it. But I’m on my way to 
a house-party at Sandywood.” 

“ Sandywood ? ” 

“Yes. You know it, of course?” 

“ Of course. It’s just over the hill frcm the 
Landis house — our house. Sandywood is the old 
Cary place.” 

“ I don’t know. I’m to visit a family named 
Cresap.” 

“ It’s the same place. The Cresaps are only 
occupying it for a while.” 



44 Then you know Mrs. Cresap? ” 

44 Hum-m. Aunty Landis knows her, but I 
suppose she doesn’t know us — not in the way 
you mean. I live with Aunt Katey Landis at 
White Cottage. Uncle Bob Landis supplies 
Sandywood with eggs and butter and milk.” 

“ Oh, I see.” 

44 You’ve never been on the Eastern Shore be- 
fore? ” 

44 Never. But I’ve learned to like it already. 
To rescue a girl from man-eating eels, and ” 

44 Girls don’t go in wading every day, even on 
the Eastern Shore.” 

44 If they did, I’d walk over from the railroad 
station straight through the year.” 

44 From Sandywood Station?” 

44 Yes. I was delayed in Baltimore on account 
of meeting a friend there, so there wasn’t any one 
at the station to meet me. I’m a good walker, 
and ” 

44 And the fairies led you down the wocd-road 
in time to save disobedient me.” 

44 Disobedient? ” 

She nodded. 44 Aunty Landis told me that I 
mustn’t go in wading. She said it was not be- 
coming — that it was very improper.” 

44 How unreasonable ! ” 


H 






’ 


knight would have ridden by without an excuse 
for knowing you.” 

“Alas! Well, your task is nearly done. We 
must be near White Cottage.” 

“ Don’t say that.” 

She glanced about, and then gave a wriggle 
so violent that she almost slipped from his arms. 

“ Put me down ! ” 

“ What’s the matter? ” 

“We’re nearer than I thought. There’s the 
big oak. The lane comes right up to the back 
door. The house is on the main road, you know. 
Put me down ! ” 

“ But why shouldn’t I carry you into the 
house ? ” 

“ Because — oh, because Aunty Landis would be 
terribly frightened ! She’d think something dread- 
ful had happened to me. Please put me down. 
I can limp along, if you’ll let me use your arm.” 

He allowed her to slip slowly to the ground. 
“ There you are, then ; but be careful.” 

A sigh of relief escaped her as she tried her 
weight gingerly on the injured foot. 

“ It’s ever so much better. I won’t even have 




upturned earnestly. 
Mr. Puddin’ Tame. 


to hop.” Her face was 
44 Thank you very much, 

You’ve been very kind.” 

44 You’re very welcome,” he returned, and, seized 
by a sudden paternal tenderness, he stooped and 
kissed the red-lipped mouth. 

She stepped back with a sharp 44 Oh ! ” mingled 
of anger and the pain of her twisted ankle. 44 Oh ! 
Why did you do that ? We were having such fun, 
and — and now you’ve spoiled the whole afternoon. 
What a — a perfectly silly thing to do ! ” 

He quailed before the bayonets flashing in the 
blue eyes. 

44 1 was carried away,” he said humbly. 

“I hate you!” 

44 No, no. Don’t — please don’t do that. Of 
course I was wrong — unpardonably wrong, I sup- 
pose — but you looked so young, and — well, so 
adorable, that I — — Oh, please don’t hate me ! ” 

His gloom was so profound that, in spite of her- 
self, she felt her wrath begin to melt. 

44 If you’re sure you’re very sorry- 

44 I’m in the dust,” he evaded. 

44 Then — all right.” She smiled a little, but 
with caution — he should not be allowed to think 
himself too easily restored to favor. 44 I fright- 
ened you, didn’t I? And you ought to have 
16 


H 





been frightened. But to show you I trust you 
now, I’ll use your arm as a crutch. Come on. 
Oh, what a delicious sight for poor Aunty 
Landis ! ” 

Truly enough, the spectacle . brought to her 
feet a motherly-looking woman who had been knit- 
ting on the porch of White Cottage. 

46 Good gracious, child! What’s the matter?” 
She fluttered down the steps to meet the be- 
draggled adventurers. 44 Have you hurt yourself, 
dearie ? Oh, dear, dear ! What is it ? Have you 
broken your leg? ” 

44 I’m all right, Aunty. Don’t worry. My 
ankle might be turned a little, that’s all. This 
gentleman has been very kind to me, and helped 
me home.” 

The woman made Fessenden a spasmodic bow. 
44 I’m sure we’re much obliged to you, sir. Is 
it your ankle, dearie? I told you not to go in 
wading. The idea of such a thing, and you a 
young lady ! ” 

44 Now, Aunty, please don’t scold me — not until 
my foot’s fixed, at any rate.” 

Although the girl’s lips quivered wamingly, 
Fessenden could have sworn her eyes laughed 
slyly. But the older woman’s vexation was ef- 
fectually dissolved by the other’s pitiful tone. 

17 





“There, there! You poor silly baby! Come 
right in, and I’ll put your foot in hot water and 
mustard. That’ll take the soreness out.” She 
passed her arm lovingly about the girl’s slender 
shoulders and was leading her away without more 
ado. The girl hung back. 

“ Aunty, I haven’t thanked him — half.” 

“ I’m sure the gentleman’s been very good,” 
said Mrs. Landis, “ but he knows your foot ought 
to be soaked in hot water just as soon as can be. 
There won’t be any too much time to do it before 
supper, any way.” 

“ By all means,” agreed Fessenden. “ I’m very 
glad if I’ve been of service.” Michief awoke in 
his glance. “ I’ve had ample reward for any- 
thing I’ve been able to do.” 

The blood crept into the girl’s cheeks, but she 
was not afraid to meet his eyes. 

“ Good-by,” he said with evident reluctance. 
“ I hope your ankle will be well very soon.” The 
laughing imps in her eyes suddenly emboldened 
him. “ May I come to-morrow evening to see 
how you’re getting on? ” 

“ Of course — if you like. We’re through sup- 
per by half-past seven, and ” 

“ Supper? ” he returned, and paused so point- 
edly that the girl laughed outright. 




H 



he WAVED ins IIAT FROM THE GATE 



\jer 


“O-oli! Would you care to come to supper 
with us, really? ” 

“ Don’t ask me unless you’re in earnest.” 

“ Will you come, then, at half-past six?” 

“ I’ll come. Thank you — immensely. Good- 

night. Good-night, Mrs. Landis.” 

“ Good-night, good-night, Mr. Puddin’ Tame,” 
called the girl as she hobbled up the steps, sup- 
ported on the older woman’s arm. 

He waved his hat from the gate, and the girl 
blew him a smiling kiss — to the very evident 
embarrassment of Aunty Landis. 





Fessenden turned to the right on the main 
road. At a little distance he paused to glance 
back at White Cottage. 

There was nothing of the colonial manor-house 
in its lines. Clearly, it had always been the home 
of humble folk. He fancied that good Aunty 
Landis — whose husband supplied Sandywood 
“ with eggs and milk and butter ” — would be the 
last to lay claim to gentility. 

It was a little disappointing to be compelled 
to abandon his dream of a Confederate colonel 
and of a decayed “ first family.” 

“But the little girl is perfectly charming,” 
he mused, and strode up the road humming: 

“ Oh, she smashed all the hearts 
Of the swains in them parts, 

Did Mistress Biddy O’Toole.” 

The directions given him by the station-master 
at Sandywood Station had been so clear that, 
20 

■ 














Now, as he topped the rise, his eyes fell at 
once upon Sandywood House: a buff-and-white 
structure, with the pillared expansiveness of a 
true colonial mansion. It was set upon a knoll, 
across an intervale, the wide expanse of the Chesa- 
peake shimmering in front of it. Ardent Mary- 
landers had been known to maintain that it was 
fully the equal of Mount Vernon itself. 

The avenue leading up toward the back of the 
house from the main road wound a couple of 
hundred yards through a garden of box and 
lilac, then swept the pedestrian about an ell to 
the steps of a demilune porch, and almost vis-a-vis 
with half a dozen men and women drinking tea. 

A plump, neutral-tinted woman, a trifle over- 
gowned, hurried forward to greet him. 

46 Why, Tom Fessenden ! 99 she exclaimed. 64 So 
here you are at last! You bad man, you didn’t 
come on the right train. Your things arrived 
this morning, but when the car came back from 
the station without you, I thought you’d backed 
out. The next thing I was expecting was a letter 
from you, saying you couldn’t come at all, you 
irresponsible man ! ” 

21 






44 I would have been a loser.” 

44 Ve-ry pretty. Really, though, we have a 
jolly crowd here. All complete except for Roland 
Cary. If Roland Cary hadn’t notions ! ” 

44 Is any man foolish enough to decline an in- 
vitation from you? ” 

44 Any man? Oh, Roland Cary’s a cousin.” 

“ Lucky man ! Madam, may I ask if he is so 
attractive that you wish he had come instead of 
me?” 

44 I wanted — wanted him to be here with you, 
silly. He — he is perfectly charming. You know, 
I’m half afraid of you. You’re such a superior 
old Yankee that I dare say you despise us 
Marylanders, and were as late in getting here 
you dared to be.” The perennial challenge 
of the Southern belle was in her tones. 

Fessenden laughed. 44 1 ran across Dan ton in 
Baltimore. Blame it all on him.” 

“ Charlie Danton ? Oh, isn’t he most ex- 
asperating! Now, come up and meet everybody. 
Boys and girls, this is Mr. Fessenden — Mrs. Ran- 
dall and Dick Randall, over there. And Pinckney 
— Pinck, do get out of that chair long enough 
to be polite ! — my lord and master, Tom. That’s 
my cousin, May Belle — May Belle Cresap — and 







celebrated Miss Madge Y arnell ; and — and that’s 
all. How funny! I do believe I’m the only one 
of us you’ve ever met before.” 

44 That proves how benighted I’ve been,” he 
returned. “But what can you expect of a man 
who’s never been on the Eastern Shore ? ” 

Detecting something proprietary in the man- 
ner of the young man who hung over the back 
of Miss May Belle Cresap’s chair, he abandoned 
his thought of taking a seat next that languid 
lady, and instead inserted himself deftly between 
Pinckney Cresap and Miss Madge Yarnell. 

Cresap shook hands heartily. 44 Glad to see 
you, Fessenden. I’ve heard a lot of you from 
Polly ever since she knew you in New York — 
before she did me the honor to marry me. Glad 
you’ve got down to see us on our native heath 
at last.” He poked a rather shaky finger at the 
stranded mint-leaf in the empty glass before him. 
44 A julep? No? You mentioned Charlie Danton 
just now. You’ve heard about his high doings, 
I suppose. Perhaps you’re in his confidence? ” 
44 Not at all. He’s in mine, to the extent of 
persuading me to buy a small yacht of his this 
morning — sight unseen. He promised to tele- 
graph over this way somewhere and have it sent 
around to your boat-landing — if you’ll allow me.” 

23 


5 ^ 





“ Of course. My man will take care of it 
when it turns up. Danton’s a queer one.” He 
rattled his empty glass suggestively at his wife. 

“ He seemed as cynical as ever,” commented 
Fessenden. 

“ He ought to be. They say that if it were 
4 befo’ de wah 9 he’d have to meet a certain 
Baltimore man on the field of honor — a married 
man, you understand. Coffee and pistols for 
two ! ” 

Fessenden was willing to elude the foreshadowed 
gossip. “ We’re shocking Miss Yarn ell, I’m 
afraid.” 

The girl was, indeed, sitting with averted head, 
her face set rather sternly. 

44 Eh ! Oh, I beg your pardon, Madge,” said 
Cresap, with real concern. 

44 1 hardly heard what you were saying,” she 
rejoined. 44 1 was thinking of something else.” 

Her voice was unusually deep and mellow, and 
Fessenden’s sensitive ear thrilled pleasurably. He 
glanced toward her. 

She was a decided brunette. Her eyes as they 
met his had a certain defiant challenge, a challenge 
at once bold and baffling. The distance between 
her eyes was a trifle too great for perfect beauty, 
but her complexion was transparently pale, and 
24 



her teeth were wonderfully white and even. The 
poise of her head was almost regal, and she had 
a trick of coming very close to one as she talked, 
that was very disconcerting. 

On the whole, Miss Yarn ell was a charming 
person of twenty-three or four, and he began 
to have a decided appreciation of the adjective 
Polly Cresap had applied to her. Moreover, the 
sombre challenge in her dark eyes impelled him to 
further investigation, under the clatter of tea- 
cups and small talk about them. 

“Why ‘ celebrated, * Miss Yarnell ? ” he be- 
gan. 4 4 Why 4 celebrated ’ rather than 4 beauti- 
ful ’ or 4 stunning ’ or downright 4 handsome 9 ? 99 

44 Polly’s rather silly,” said Miss Yarnell. 

44 Are you dodging? 99 

44 I never dodge. But Polly is silly — yes, she’s 
unkind, although she’d be in tears if she dreamed 
I thought so. She ought not to have called me 
that. No, I don’t dodge, but I suppose I can 
refuse to answer.” 

He declined to notice the ungraciousness of 
her response. 44 Oh, of course, but I’m certain to 
learn the reason you’re 4 celebrated ’ from some 
one — badly garbled, too,” he laughed. 

Contrary to the spirit of his badinage, she 
seemed resolved to take him seriously. 44 That’s 


25 



true. I may as well tell you. I’m celebrated 
‘ notorious ’ would be a better word — because of 
that affair in Baltimore last year. I was an 
idiot.” 

44 Hard words for yourself. I think I don’t 
understand.” 

44 You don’t know Baltimore, then?” 

44 Very little. The Club is about all, and that 
not more than once or twice a year.” 

44 The Club ! If you’ve been there once this 
winter, I’m afraid you’ve heard of me. I’m Madge 
Yarnell, the Madge Yarnell, the girl who tore 
down the flag at the cotillion.” 

44 O-oh ! ” He gave her a long stare. 44 It was 
you." 

She winced before the contempt in his tone, 
and her eyes glistened suddenly. 44 I’m confessing 
to you,” she reminded him with a humility that 
he knew instinctively was wholly unwonted. “I’m 
not proud of what I did, although some of my 
friends ” — her glance swept over Polly Cresap — 
44 are still foolish enough to tease me about it.” 

Compelled by his eyes and the light touch of 
his hand on her arm, she rose with him, and they 
sauntered together to the isolation of a pillar 
on the porch-edge. 

The great bay, now purpling with the first 




hint of sunset, stretched from the foot of the 
knoll to the hazy hills of the western shore. 
Little red glints flashed from the surface of the 
water and seemed to be reflected in the depths of 
Miss Yarnell’s sombre eyes. 

She stood with her hands behind her, her head 
turned a little from him, but held very proudly. 
A strong woman, evidently ; a passionate one, 
perhaps ; a devoted one, if the right man were 
found. Fessenden, studying her covertly, realized 
that for the second time that day he had en- 
countered a girl who stirred in him an interest 
novel and delightful. 

“ Tell me about it, Miss Yarnell,” he said at 
last. “I’ve only heard that you refused to enter 
the cotillion room so long as the Stars and Stripes 
decorated the doorway, and that finally you took 
down the flag with your own hands. I remember 
the Evening Post had a solemn editorial on the 
sinister significance of your alleged performance. 
It couldn’t have been true — I realize that now 
that I know you. No one could accuse you — you 
of — that is ” 

“ Of vulgarity. Thank you for being too kind 
to say it. But I’m afraid most of it’s true.” 

“ I can’t believe it.” 

She turned a grateful glance upon him. His 


. >'4 



steady, reassuring smile seemed to give her a 
long-needed sense of comfort and protection. In 
spite of herself, her eyes fell before his, and her 
cheeks reddened a little. 

44 I’ll tell you all about it,” she said. 44 1 did 
it on a dare. A year ago I was unbelievably silly 
— I’ve learned a great deal in a year. A man 
dared me — and I did it.” 

44 1 don’t acquit you — quite ; but what an 
egregious cad the man must have been ! ” 

44 No, no, don’t think that. He never dreamed 
I would really dare. But I was determined to 
show him I wasn’t afraid — wasn’t afraid of any- 
thing — not even of him.” 

44 Of him? ” 

44 Yes.” 

44 O-oh ! ” he said slowly. 44 1 see. Well, were 
you afraid — afterward? ” 

She swung her hands from behind her back and 
struck them together with a sudden gesture of 
anger. 

44 No, but I hated him. I hate him ! Not that 
he wasn’t game. When I turned to him with that 
dear flag dangling in my hand, he swept me off 
in a two-step, flag and all. But he smiled. Oh, 
how he smiled ! ” She drew a long breath. 

D his smile ! ” Her desperate little oath 

28 


lb 


was only pathetic. 44 I can see that triumphant 
twist about the corner of his mouth now, like a 
crooked scar.” 

44 Good Lord ! Charlie Danton ! ” 

Her startled look confirmed the guess her words 
denied. 44 No, no.” 

44 By Jove! don’t I know that smile? We were 
in college together, you know, and I’ve made him 
put on the gloves with me more than once on 
account of that devilish smile. But I’ll do him 
the justice to believe that he didn’t really suppose 
you’d take that dare.” He interrupted himself 
to laugh a little. 44 How seriously we’re talking ! 
After all, it’s no great matter if a — a rather 
foolish girl did a rather foolish thing.” 

She refused to be enlivened. 44 I had it out with 
him,” she said. 44 And since then we haven’t seen 
anything of each other. You heard what Pinckney 
Cresap said just now? ” 

44 About Danton and the possibility of a duel? ” 
44 Yes. I’m afraid that’s partly my fault. I 

sent him away, and ” 

44 1 see. If he’s weak enough to seek con- 
solation in that way, he deserves to lose you.” 

She smiled frankly. 44 You’re very, very com- 
forting. I’m glad I confessed to you — it’s done 
me good.” 

29 




♦ 


The clatter of the group at the tea-table 
behind them had effectually muffled the sound 
of their voices. Their eyes and thoughts, 
too, had been so preoccupied that it was only now 
they became aware of a small boy standing on 
the gravelled walk in front of them. He wore 
a checked shirt and patched trousers on his 
diminutive person, and freckles and a disgusted 
expression on his face. 

44 Gee Whilliken ! ” exclaimed this apparition, 
with startling vehemence. 64 I been standin’ here 
’most an hour, I bet, without you lookin’ at me 
oncet. I’m Jimmy Jones.” 

44 Welcome, scion of an illustrious family ! ” 
said Fessenden. 44 What is your pleasure?” 

44 Ah, g’wan,” returned Master Jones. 44 I got 

a letter, that’s what. I got a letter here for ” 

He broke off to scan his questioner closely. 
44 You’re the man, ain’t you? Tall, good-looker, 
wet pants. Say, Mister, ain’t your name Puddin’ 
Tame? ” 

44 4 Puddin’ Tame’?” asked Miss Yarnell, 
smiling. 44 Is it a game you want to play, kiddy? ” 

44 No, ma’am, ’tain’t a game. I want to see 
him. Say, ain’t you Puddin’ Tame?” 

44 I’ve been called so,” admitted Fessenden, sur- 
30 



if 







\jer 


a 


prised but greatly diverted. “ But I’ll let you 
into a secret, Jimmy : it’s not my real name.” 

“ Aw, who said it was? Don’t I know it’s a 
nickname? Guess I heard of Puddin’ Tame before 
you was born.” 

“ I believe your guess is incorrect, James.” 

“ No, ’tain’t neither. Say, here’s the letter for 
you. There ain’t no answer.” He thrust an 
envelope into Fessenden’s fingers, and disappeared 
around the corner of the house with a derisive 
whoop. 

The sound served to divert the tea-drinkers 
from their chatter. 

“What! A billet doux already?” said Mrs. 
Dick Randall. “ This is rushing matters, Mr. 
Fessenden. I think it’s only fair you should let 
us know who she is.” A chorus of exclamations 
followed, in which, however, Miss Yarnell did not 
join. 

“Polly,” said Cresap at last, “dont tease 
Fessenden. Rather, if your inferior half may 
venture the humble suggestion, I would urge a 
casual glance at his trousers. What do you see, 
Little Brighteyes?” 

“ Goodness, Tom ! They’re wet. Positively 
dripping ! ” 

31 







“ I lost my way coming over, and had to 
wade through a brook.” 

“ And I never noticed it until now. And I 
declare I haven’t given you a chance to get to 
your room yet. Pinck, why didn't you remind me ? 
Ring the bell, please. Tom, you must change 
your things right away.” 

Alone in his room, Fessenden read the note de- 
livered by the cadet of the house of Jones. 

Dear Mr. Puddest’ Tame: 

Shall we have it for a secret that you’re coming to 
supper at our house to-morrow? We aren’t quality folk, 
and maybe Mrs. Cresap wouldn’t like it. So please don't 
breathe it to a soul, but just steal away, and come. 

Betty. 



AS 



Before luncheon the next day, Fessenden had 
begun to acquire some acquaintance with the mem- 
bers of the Sandywood house-party — a particular 
acquaintance with the celebrated Miss Yarnell. 
It did not take him long to perceive that Miss 
Yarnell and he had been provided for each other’s 
amusement. Harry Clebome’s fatuous devotion 
to May Belle Cresap — Fessenden rather disliked 
the two-part Christian name — and the good- 
natured cliquishness of the four married people, 
threw upon him the duty of entertaining the un- 
attached bachelor girl. He took up the burden 
with extraordinary cheerfulness. 

Pinckney Cresap watched his progress, frankly 
interested. Once, indeed, he took occasion to com- 
pliment him. 

44 You Northerners have some temperament, I 
see. If only Roland Cary were here, my boy ! ” 

44 He would have even more, I suppose,” laughed 
Fessenden. 44 Polly told me about him yesterday.” 
33 


44 Eh? Oh, yes, so she was telling me. Oh, I’m 
not sure about the temperament — unfortunately, 
I haven’t had a chance to judge.” He chuckled. 
44 But there’s a charm there, that’s certain.” He 
chuckled again, as if vastly amused at the recol- 
lection of some humor of Roland Cary’s. 44 An 
eligible parti” he went on. 44 The head of the 
first family of Maryland. Father and mother 
both dead — brought up by a doting great-uncle.” 

“ Confound him ! I’m quite jealous. Where is 
he? Doesn’t he dare show himself? ” 

44 Off on some philanthropic scheme, I believe. 
Roland Cary has notions. But you needn’t be 
jealous — you’re doing very well with Madge 
Yarn ell.” 

Toward noon, as they were all debating whether 
or not a game of tennis was worth while, a trim- 
looking sloop rounded a wooded point of the bay 
shore, and ran down toward the boat-landing. 

“I think that’s your yacht, Fessenden,” said 
Cresap. 44 If Danton has been keeping her up 
at the Polocoke River Club, she’d be just about 
due here now.” 

44 Let’s all go down and have a look at her.” 

A hat or two had to be gotten, and by the 
time they reached the landing-stage the boat was 


34 




N3KT 



already tied up. A sunburned man touched his 
cap to the party. 

“ Mr. Charles Danton’svFiZZ-o’-^-IFispn he 
said. “ I was to deliver her at the Cary place, 
to Mr. Fessenden.” 

“ I’m Mr. Fessenden. She looks like a good 
boat.” 

“There ain't any better of her class from 
Cape May to Hatteras,” said the boatman. “ It’s 
a pity Mr. Danton’s got the power-boat idea in 
his head.” 

“ Yes, he told me that was one of the reasons 
he’s giving up the Will-o’-the-Wisp. He’s bought 
a hundred-ton steam-yacht, I believe.” 

66 That’s right, sir. Well, she’s all right, and 
I’m to be master of her, so I guess I hadn’t ought 
to complain, but, after all, a real sailer is better, 
I think, sir.” 

The boat was sloop-rigged, seaworthy rather 
than fast, and, for her length, very broad of 
beam and astonishingly roomy. Spars and deck 
were spick and span in new ash, and her sides 
glistened with white paint. 

“ Would you like to go over her? ” suggested 
the boatman. “ Here’s the keys to everything, 
Mr. Fessenden — the rooms, and these are for the 









The party clambered aboard and proceeded to 
explore the little craft. The women exclaimed 
with surprise and delight. 

44 Two cabins ! ” said Mrs. Dick Randall. 44 One 
at each end — do you see, Polly? And what’s this 
cunning cubby-hole between the rooms ? ” 

44 That’s the galley, ma’am,” answered the 
boatman. 44 The kitchen, you’d call it. Do you 
see that little oil-stove, there? Big enough to do 
what’s wanted plenty. Yes’m, she’s as well found 
as any old-time Baltimore clipper, she is. A cabin 
aft for the owner, and a fok’s’l room for me. 
Mr. Danton used to say he had a right to make 
me comfortable, if he wanted to. You know his 
queer ways, maybe. We kept the stores in those 
lockers. She’s got some of ’em aboard yet.” 

44 I should say so,” declared Polly, who had been 
rummaging about. 44 Potted tongue and jams, 
and a whole ham, and, I declare, here’s the sweet- 
est little coffee-tin full of coffee!” 

44 Mr. Danton was thinkin’ of takin’ a cruise,” 
explained the boatman. 44 And when you bought 
the Wisp, sir, he telegraphed to turn her over 
right away, in case you wanted to use her while 
you was here. Well, gentlemen, if you’ll excuse 
me, I’ll be walkin’ over to the station to catch my 
36 








train back to Pcloccke.” He touched his cap and 
tramped away up the knoll toward the road. 

“ Let’s all go for a sail in her,” said May 
Belle. 

At the suggestion, an idea sprang full-grown 
into Fessenden’s mind. 

“ Some other time,” he returned. “ I’d rather 
try her out by myself first. I want to see if she 
has any mean tricks before I risk any life be- 
sides my own. If the wind’s right, I may tack 
about a bit this afternoon.” 

He realized that he had explained too elabor- 
ately — Miss Yarnell bent an intent look upon him. 
As he was returning up the pathway at her side — • 
the others a safe distance ahead — she touched his 
arm. 

“ Please take me with you when you go sailing 
this afternoon? ” 

“ Oh, I may not go. If I do, I think you’d 
better not. You see, the Wisp may be a crank.” 

“ Nonsense ! Besides, I’m a good sailor — swim- 
mer too. I shouldn’t care if we were capsized.” 

“ I’d <jare for you.” 

“ Please take me. I want particularly to go.” 

“ Really, I can’t.” 

“ You mean you won’t ! ” 

“ I’d rather not, at any rate.” 

37 



t 




laughed. 

“ I thought you wouldn’t, before I asked you,” 
she said broodingly. “ I knew it would be of 
no use.” 

“ You did? Why do you want so much to go? ” 

“ If I tell you that, will you tell me why you 
won’t take me? ” 

44 I can’t promise. But what reason can there 
be except that I don’t care to risk your life in a 
boat I know nothing about ? ” 

44 What solicitude ! ” she said with sarcasm. 
44 4 Men were deceivers ever.’ ” 

She gave him an enigmatic smile as they took 
up their tennis rackets. 

Beyond an amused wonder at the vagaries of 
the modern American — or, at any rate, Maryland 
— girl, this incident made little impression on 
Fessenden’s mind, occupied as it was with 
schemes of its own. By the time luncheon had 
been over an hour or two, however, and it drew 
on to the time when he might be expected to take 
out the Will-o’-the-Wisp, he confidently an- 
ticipated a renewal of Miss Yamell’s request. 

He was downright disappointed, therefore, 






when the young woman in question announced that 
she had a slight headache and thought a nap 
would do her good. Polly and Mrs. Dick chorused 
hearty approval, and Pinckney advised a julep. 

Thus supported, Miss Yarnell mounted the 
staircase from the wide hallway, not vouchsafing a 
single glance at Fessenden, who lingered rather 
ostentatiously about in his yachting flannels. Al- 
though his determination — as whimsical as the girl 
who had inspired it — to keep his projected visit 
to White Cottage a secret forbade the presence 
of Madge Yarnell upon the Wisp, he would will- 
ingly have had another trial of wits with her. 
However, this was denied him. 

Mrs. Dick and Polly made perfunctory petitions 
to accompany him, easily waved aside. Dick 
Randall himself and Cresap were too lazy even to 
offer their companionship. May Belle and her fol- 
lower had taken themselves off an hour before. 
Thus Fessenden found nothing to hinder his an- 
nounced plan of trying out the Wisp alone. 

“ I’m off,” he declared. “ By the way, if I’m 
not back for dinner, don’t worry, and don’t wait 
dinner for me. The wind may fall and make it a 
drifting match against time, you know, so don’t 
think of delaying dinner, if I don’t turn up.” 

Once on board the sloop, he cast off, hoisted 




mainsail and jib, and stood away to the north- 
ward. 

Although unfamiliar with the dry land of 
Maryland, Fessenden was not entirely so with its 
waters. Once or twice he had taken a cruise on 
the fickle Chesapeake, , and he was fairly well 
acquainted with the character of the sailing and 
the configuration of the bay. 

Moreover, he had given a half-hour’s close 
study to some of Cresap’s charts that morning. 
He knew, therefore, that his first long reach on 
the starboard tack would take him well clear of 
the land. Thence he planned to come about and 
sail with the wind to a little cove he had noticed 
on the map. This cove lay a mile or so above 
Sandywood, and was concealed therefrom by a 
heavily-wooded point. He counted upon making 
a landing there about six o’clock. 

It was a delightful day for sailing. The breeze 
was firm, but not too strong — just brisk enough 
to ruffle the water with a steady purr under the 
bow as the sloop slid up into the wind. 

In pure enjoyment Fessenden whistled shrilly 
and sang snatches of song. His trip had enough 
of mystery about it to arouse all the boy in him. 
The thought of his evasion of Miss Yamell’s im- 
portunity, too, made him laugh aloud. To be 
40 



sure, his merriment was a little diminished by his 
recollection that she had shown no desire to 
accompany him at the last. Was she merely whim- 
sical, he wondered, or had she acted with a motive? 

He hauled the mainsail a trifle tauter, and 
watched with critical eye the flattening of the 
canvas. The Wisp fairly sailed herself, and 
needed little attention. He burst into song: 

“ And bends the gallant mast, my boys, 

While, like the eagle fre-e-e, 

Away the good ship flies and leaves 
Old England on her lee.” 

He stopped. The wind pushed persistently at 
the flattening sail; the water purred under the 
bow; the shore was already hazy behind him. 
These things were as they ought to be, yet he had 
become conscious that something extraordinary 
had interrupted his flow of song. 

His eyes, sweeping the whole horizon, came 
back to the sloop, surveyed her slowly from bow- 
sprit to rudder-post, and rested finally on the 
closed double-doors of the little cabin that faced 
him across the cockpit. 

At that moment a loud knocking shook the 
latticed doors. Then a mellow voice spoke dis- 
tinctly : 

41 




The doors were flung open, and framed in the 
hatchway appeared the upper part of the body, 
the dark hair, the defiant eyes, and the faintly- 
smiling mouth of the celebrated Miss Madge 
Yarnell. 


‘ Behind no prison grate,’ she said, 

‘ That slurs the sunshine half a mile, 
Live captives so uncomforted 
As souls behind a smile — 

God’s pity let us pray,’ she said.” 







MISS YARN ELL MOUNTED THE PAIR OF STEPS FROM THE CABIN 









For a moment Fessenden could only stare. Then 
he gave a long whistle. 

44 This Maryland climate is — extraordinary ! ” 
he remarked to the horizon. 

Miss Yarnell mounted the pair of steps from 
the cabin to the level of the cockpit, and seated 
herself on the lockers. 

44 I simply had to come,” she explained. 

44 Marvellous impulsion ! ” 

64 I’m not welcome, then? ” 

44 I’m afraid you’ve guessed it.” 

64 Obstinate — man ! ” 

44 Artful— woman ! ” 

44 You are a very chilly person. I think I’ll 
begin to hate you pretty soon.” 

44 Really ! ” 

44 Now that I’m here, you might as well make 
the best of it. Please, sir, I’ll try to be very 
agreeable and entertaining, if you’ll only be kind 







“You’d move a heart of stone, but mine’s a 
diamond. You’re always charming — I admit that 
freely — but I can’t consider that in this particular 
situation. No, no. ‘Off with your head; so 
much for Bolingbroke.’ ” He braced the wheel 
against his knee and began to haul in the sheet. 
“ You’re going back? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ To put me ashore? ” 

“ Right, my lady.” 

“ Then you intend to sail off again to — to do 
what you like? ” 

“ Humanly speaking, yes.” 

In spite of the heeling deck she rose abruptly, 
her eyes wide and resolute. 

“ Mr. Fessenden, I’m going with you this after- 
noon, wherever you go. If you take me back to 
the landing, I won’t go on shore. You’ll have to 
use force, and I warn you I’ll resist, and I’m 
strong for a woman. I solemnly vow I’ll make a 
dreadful scene. And I’ll scream, and I can 
scream hideously! ” 

Her words were utterly convincing. He let go 
the sheet and stared. “ By Jove ! you are a terror. 
What in the world is all this about? ” 

“ Never mind.” 




44 But you make me mind. Surely all this can’t 
be a mere freak on your part. Or is it a joke? ” 

44 No. I’ve a reason for my — my very unlady- 
like conduct.” 

44 Strike out the adjective. But what’s the 
reason ? ” 

44 I’d rather not \ell.” She resumed her seat, 
as if she thought the victory won. Her eyes dwelt 
on the lines of his powerful figure, well set off by 
his gray flannels. 44 You are a distinctly good- 
looking man, but obstinate.” 

44 And you’re a remarkably lovely girl, but 
eccentric ; very — eccentric.” 

44 You don’t know my reasons.” 

44 I’ve asked for them.” 

She laughed evasively. 44 Isn’t it about time 
to come about? ” she said. 

44 It is. But how do you know that? Are you 
a witch ? ” 

44 In with the weather braces,” she commanded. 
“Stand by to tack ship! Ready about! Helm’s 
a-lee ! Round we go, now. Make fast ! All snug, 
sir.” 

Accompanying her rather uncertain display of 
nautical language with a pull at the sheets that 
proved her strength, she gave Fessenden her as- 
sistance in bringing the Wisp before the wind. 

45 








Afterward there was silence between them for 
a long time. The knots slipped away under the 
keel of the little yacht, and she drew rapidly 
in toward land. Fessenden consulted his watch. 
It was half past five. He decided that it was 
time to land — time to send his unwelcome visitor 
away, and to keep his appointment with Betty 
for supper at White Cottage. 

Miss Yarnell examined the little binnacle beside 
the wheel. 

“ Due east,” she said sombrely, “ almost. If 
you go back to Sandywood, Mr. Fessenden, remem- 
ber, I’ve given you fair warning.” 

“ Fear not, mademoiselle. Far be it from me 
to force you to try your screaming powers on 
me! I shudder at the thought. No, no. Do 
you see that cape two or three points south of 
east? Piney Point, it’s called. That’s the place 
I’m aiming for. Are you content? ” 

“ Perfectly content.” 

She met his puzzled frown with a faint smile. 
“ You beat the Dutch,” he declared in an injured 
tone. 

It was just six o’clock when the Wisp grounded 
gently on the sandy beach of Piney Cove. The 
westering sun flung red bands across the pine 
woods, here growing almost to the water’s edge. 

46 



Fessenden led a line ashore and made it fast to 
a convenient tree. “ Now, Miss Yarnell,” he 
smiled, “ the voyage is over. I’ll really have to 
ask you to leave me — with my thanks for a de- 
lightful afternoon, 'after all. If you follow the 
bay shore, you’ll be at Sandywood in half an 
hour, I fancy.” 

She had joined him as he stood on the beach. 
44 Thank you,” she said gravely, 44 but I’m going 
with you.” 

44 Really, this is rather — rather ” 

44 Impossible,” she supplied. 44 Yes, I’ll agree 
to anything you like to say of me, but, Mr. Fes- 
senden, it’s very important for me to go with 
you — to your appointment.” 

He stared, bewildered not only by her audacity, 
but by her apparent knowledge of his plans. 

44 Do you deny that you have an appointment 
with some one near here? ” she demanded. 

44 I don’t deny it. But what if I have ? This 
is too ridiculous ! I don’t know how you know 
where I’m bound, but — I don’t want to be rude, 
Miss Yarnell — but even if you do know, I don’t 
see how it matters to you.” 

44 It does matter to me,” she said, sudden pas- 
sion in her voice. 44 It matters terribly.” 


Her suppressed excitement, her entire serious- 
ness, could no longer be doubted. 

44 I don’t understand,” he said. 46 1 think you 
must be making some mistake.” 

44 No, no. I don’t know exactly where you’re 
going, I admit, but I know who it is you’re going 
to see.” 

He felt a baffling sense cf amazement over an 
impossible situation. “ Who is it, then?” he 
demanded. 

“Please, please don’t let us mention names. 
But I know. Mr. Fessenden, I recognized the 
envelope that boy brought up yesterday.” 

44 The envelope? O-oh ! You did?” 

44 Yes. I’ve seen that style of envelope too often 
not to know it. Now do you understand why I 
want to go with you? — why I must go? ” 

44 I’m as much at sea as ever. Why?” 

She flushed vividly. 44 If you really can’t 
guess, I — I can’t tell you.” 

He stared at her helplessly, then tossed both 
hands in a gesture of despair. 44 I give it up. 
I give you up, in fact. You fairly make my 
head spin! It’s getting late, Miss Yarnell. I 
think you’ll find a path behind the grove.” 

44 I’m not going to Sandywocd.” 


48 






Then I’ll leave you in possession of the yacht. 
Good-night.” 

He took off his cap smilingly, and, turning, 
walked rapidly inland. He had not gone half a 
dozen yards' when he heard a light footstep behind 
him, and wheeled to find her at his very heels. 

“ I’m going with you.” 

“You’ll dog me across country?” he asked 
incredulously. 

She flushed painfully, but stood her ground. 
“ I’m going with you,” she repeated. 

“ Oh, Lord ! ” he groaned. For a moment he 
eyed her rather malevolently. “ Come back to the 
sloop, then. We’ll talk it over.” 

She followed obediently as he clambered over 
the low rail of the Wisp. 

“ I don’t know what to make of you,” he com- 
plained. 

“ I hardly know what to make of myself.” 

“ If I had more time, I might be able to get at 
things.” 

“ You’d better simply take me with you.” 

“ Hum-m,” he said contemplatively. 

They were standing side by side on the floor of 
the cockpit. He waved his hand toward the bay. 
“ All this beautiful scenery ought to be good for 
your malady — whatever that may be. Look at 
49 








that sunset, Miss Yarnell. Why, hello! What’s 
that? Dead into the sun! Can’t you see it? ” 

She peered beneath the arch of her hand to 
mark the point. At that moment her elbows were 
gripped as if by a giant. She felt herself lifted, 
then thrust firmly, although gently, downward 
into the little cabin. 

It was all done in an instant. Fessenden 
slammed the double-doors deftly upon his prisoner 
and dropped the catch into the slot. 

“ Good-night,” he called reassuringly. He 
leaped ashore and hurried inland. 








V 

Fessenden was well aware that the frail catch 
that held the doors of the Wisp's cabin would not 
long hold prisoner so vigorous a young woman as 
Madge Yarnell. He guessed that in ten minutes 
she would be wending her disconsolate way toward 
Sandy wood. But ten minutes would be enough — 
he gave himself no further concern about her. 

He followed a cow-path beyond the pine grove, 
crossed a meadow or two, and struck the road 
not far above White Cottage. 

A quail called in a field of early wheat, and 
was answered from a thicket of elderberry near 
at hand — a charmingly intimate colloquy. Fes- 
senden was serenely conscious that it was good to 
be only twenty-eight, and on his way to dine, or 
sup, with an artless girl. 

In ten minutes he was halting at the gate of 
White Cottage. Although it was only the dusk 
of the day, the window shades were down, and 
51 






44 I’m glad you’ve come, Mr. Bob White.” 

46 Did you dream for a moment I wouldn’t? ” 
44 1 was a little afraid you might forget your 
promise. No, what I was really afraid of was 
that you wouldn’t find a chance to steal away. 
You did steal away, didn’t you, ve-ry quietly? ” 
52 


the lighted lamps within sent a glow across the 
wide porch. The door stood invitingly open. 

As he clicked the gate behind him, he felt as 
if he were about to enter another world than the 
one he had left at Sandy wood — the enchanted 
world of boyhood. 

At the thought, he pursed his lips and sent the 
rounded notes of the quail through the evening 
haze. 

He had not time to repeat them before a slender 
figure, appearing as if by magic, extended him a 
warm little hand. 

44 Bob White ! ” she said gaily. 44 I’m very 
glad to see you. I was in the hammock under the 
hickory there. That gives me a new name for 
you — I was tired of Puddin’ Tame.” Her lips 
echoed the whistle. 


H 


£ 



44 I did. I sailed away, at any rate, and I 
didn’t tell a soul where I was bound.” 

44 I knew you were a reliable man.” 

44 How is the sprained ankle? You don’t seem 
to be noticeably crippled.” 

44 Of course not. That’s all well now — I’ve been 
resting in the hammock all day. But come into 
the house. Supper is ready, and Aunty Landis 
has the most delicious chocolate, with whipped 
cream.” 

She tripped ahead of him up the pathway and 
into the house, calling : 44 Aunty Landis ! Uncle 
Landis ! Here he is. Here’s Mr. Bob White. 
He’s ready for supper, I’m sure.” 

The long-suffering good wife met him in the 
living-room. 44 Good-evening, Mr. — ah ” 

44 My name is ” 

44 Bob White,” interrupted the girl. 44 Please 
let it be Bob White. That must be your name. 
Don’t you like it? ” 

44 Very much.” 

44 Then that’s what we’ll call him, please, Aunty 
Landis. Yesterday you were Puddin’ Tame, to- 
day you’re Bob White, and all the time you’re 
really somebody else. I’ll have the fun of meet- 
ing a new man any moment I like.” 

Mrs. Landis received this remark with a look 




as nearly approaching to sternness as she was 
capable of. “ Betty, you must behave. Remem- 
ber, you ain’t as much of a baby as the gentleman 
maybe takes you for.” 

The girl fell silent, and seated herself upon a 
chintz-covered sofa. Fessenden scanned her more 
closely than the dusk outside had permitted him 
to do. 

Her hair was gathered in a shining braid that 
hung quite to her waist, a girlish and charming 
fashion. Her blue eyes watched him demurely 
from beneath a broad, low forehead. The sailor 
suit of yesterday had given place to a simple 
white frock — Fessenden noticed that it came fairly 
to her ankles, now discreetly slippered and stock- 
inged. 

At the moment of seating themselves at table, 
they were joined by Uncle Landis, a middle-aged 
farmer whose preternaturally-shining face and 
plastered hair, not to mention a silence unbroken 
throughout the meal, gave plain proof of recent 
rigorous social instruction on the part of his help- 
meet. 

The memory of that supper has always been 
a delight to Fessenden. The omelet was all golden 
foam; the puffed potatoes a white-and-brown 
cloud. The spiced cantaloupe and brandied 





tions his Grandmother Winthrop had made — she 
who would never allow any one but herself to 
wash the glass and silver. 

The hot Maryland beaten biscuits were crusty 
to the smoking hearts of them, withstanding his 
teeth’s assault just long enough to make their 
crumbling to fragments the more delicious. The 
chocolate, in blue china cups not too small, was 
served as the Spaniards serve it and as it ought 
to be served — of the consistency of molasses 
candy when poured into the pan. 

And then came the creamy rice pudding for 
dessert, whereupon Fessenden won Mrs. Landis 
forever by asking for the receipt and gravely 
jotting it down in his notebook, in spite of Betty’s 
laughing eyes. 

Betty’s talk flashed and sparkled to his sallies. 
She showed a self-possession remarkable in a 
farmer’s daughter who was encountering a man 
of the world for what must have been the first 
time in her life, as he fancied. Once or twice he 
felt that she had led him on to talk of himself 
and to expand his own ideas to a degree unusual 
in him. 

“ Betty, you’re a witch,” he declared at last. 
“ I’ve been clattering away here like a watchman’s 
55 






rattle. You can’t be interested in all this stuff 
about my cart-tail speeches for honest city gov- 
ernment.” 

44 But I am interested, decidedly. I like to 
hear about men that do something- — they’re a 
novelty.” Her frank smile warmed him. 44 I 
know there are enough worthless men in the world 
to make the useful ones count all the more. 
4 Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands 
to do.’ That’s as true in Maryland as anywhere.” 

44 You’re a worldly-wise small person.” 

44 Oh, I read and think a little, Mr. Bob White.” 
She nodded her head at him until the blonde braid 
danced. 

After supper Uncle Landis abruptly vanished. 
Aunty Landis lingered in the dining-room on the 
plea of clearing off the supper things — in point 
of fact, Fessenden saw her no more that night. 
Betty led the way to a couple of steamer-chairs 
at a comer of the porch. 

The breeze had freshened a little, and he tucked 
her knitted scarf about her shoulders with a care 
not altogether fatherly. 

44 Thank you, Bob v White. You’re very kind.” 

44 Who wouldn’t be kind to you, Betty? Look 
there ! Over the top of the hill. Even the stars 
are peeping out to see if you’re comfortable.” 

56 



She gave her little crowing laugh. 44 What a 
poet ! I always think of Emerson’s verse about 
the stars. Do you remember it? 

“ Over our heads are the maple buds, 

And over the maple buds is the moon; 

And over the moon are the starry studs 
That drop from the angel’s shoon.” 

44 Where did you learn Emerson ? ” 

44 1 had a teacher who liked him.” 

44 Did any one ever tell you that you talk as a 
prima donna ought to talk, but never does — 
4 soft, gentle, and low’?” 

44 Is that a compliment? ” 

44 Certainly. Perhaps you sing.” 

44 I’ll get my guitar.” 

She flashed into the house and back again. The 
starlight enabled him to see her indistinctly as she 
tightened the keys of a small guitar. 

44 I like this song,” she explained. 44 It was 
written by Fessenden, you know.” 

44 By whom? ” 

44 Thomas Fessenden, the Fessenden, the man 
who ” 

44 Oh, of course.” 

To hear himself thus referred to, to hear one 
of his own casual songs launched from the lips 
of a country girl in the splendor of a Maryland 
57 










night, was a novel experience even for Fessenden. 
He realized with amusement that his identity was 
wholly unknown to Betty, that capricious young 
person not having allowed him as yet to mention 
his own name. 

She sang, her eyes laughing upon him as her 
lips rounded to the whistle of the quail in the 
refrain. 


“At morn when first the rosy gleam 
Of rising sun proclaimed the day, 

There reached me, through my last sweet dream. 
This oft-repeated lay: 

(Too sweet for cry. 

Too brief for song, 

’Twas borne along 
The reddening sky) 

Bob White! 

Daylight, Bob White! 

Daylight! ” 


“ At eve, when first the fading glow 
Of setting sun foretold the night, 
The tender call came, soft and low. 
Across the dying light: 

(Too sweet for cry, 

Too brief for song, 

’Twas but a long 
Contented sigh) 

Bob White! 
Good-night, Bob White! 

Good-night! ” 

58 




H 



young 


Fessenden applauded softly, and 
hostess smiled appreciation. 

“ Tell me about yourself, Bob White,” she said. 
66 Are you 4 tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor ’? ” 

44 Betty, perhaps you can tell me something. 
I got away to you without letting any one at 
Sandywood know, by going for a sail in my 
sloop.” 

4 4 A ve-ry good idea.” 

44 Don’t be too sure. After I’d gotten well off, 
one of the house-party — a girl — coolly appeared 
from the cabin. She’d been bound to come with 
me, you see.” 

44 Why?” 

44 That’s the problem. She was very mysterious, 
and persistent, no name ! When we landed in 
Piney Cove, she insisted upon following me.” 

44 Goodness me ! ” 

44 We had the most extraordinary time — I fast- 
ened her in the cabin by main force. I don’t 
understand it at all. She said she knew I was 
coming to meet you, and seemed very much 
wrought up about it. Hold on ! She didn’t men- 
tion your name, but she said she knew who it was 
I had my appointment with.” 

44 How could she guess ? ” 

44 We happened to be standing together when 
59 


H 




the style of the envelope.” 

Betty’s guitar slipped from her lap to the floor. 
44 Bob White, Bob White ! ” she exclaimed. 
44 What’s her name? ” 

44 Didn’t I say? She’s a Miss Yamell — Miss 
Madge Yamell, from Baltimore. Do you know 
anything about her? ” 

The girl stooped to rescue the guitar. Her 
warm cheek touched his as he, too, groped for it, 
and both recoiled a little consciously — Fessenden 
in amusement at his own confusion. 

44 Do you know about Miss Yamell? ” he re- 
peated. 

44 I’ve heard her name. A girl — the woman who 
gave me that song — knows who she is. Isn’t she 
the girl who tore down the flag? ” 

44 Yes, that’s the one. Can you imagine why 
she pursued me so ? Do you suppose she really 
recognized your writing paper? And even if she 
did, what is it to her? ” 

She twanged a careless chord or two. 44 Oh, 
perhaps she was vexed because you didn’t stay at 
the house-party,” she suggested ; 44 because you 
preferred White Cottage to Sandy wood.” 

After a while he struck a match and looked at 


his watch. 64 Nine o’clock. I must be going. If 
I stay much longer, the Cresaps will be sending 
out their launch to tow me home. You know, I’m 
supposed to be becalmed out in the bay. I hate to 
go. I’ve had a bully time.” 

46 Really? ” 

44 Perfect. Betty, look here ! I’m staying at 
Sandywood only until Tuesday, and to-day’s 
Friday. H-i-n-t ! ” 

She rose and made him an adorable curtsy. 
44 Bob White, Esquire, I respectfully invite you 
to come to my picnic to-morrow.” 

44 Will there be a picnic, really ? ” 

44 Yes — for you and me.” 

44 Great ! I’ll come, and humbly thank you.” 

44 Then you must be at the foot of the lane 
by the brook at ten o’clock to-morrow morning. 
And it’s another secret, remember. Do you think 
you can get away? ” 

44 I will get away. Perhaps I can invent a 
business letter that will call me to Baltimore.” 

She clapped her hands. 44 Oh, I’ll attend to 
that. You know Jimmy Jones is really the Sandy- 
wood Station telegraph boy, and he’ll do any- 
thing for me.” 

44 I don’t doubt it. There’s at least one other 
person in the same happy condition.” 


61 



44 Haven’t you a friend in Baltimore who might 
possibly send you a telegram — somebody so real 
you could just show it to the Cresaps, and they’d 
believe it ? What fun ! ” 

He chuckled. 44 This is a real conspiracy. The 
only friend the Cresaps and I have in common is 
Danton.” 

44 Who?” 

44 Charles Danton. D-a-n-t-o-n.” 

44 I’ll remember.” 

44 All right. At ten o’clock to-morrow, at the 
foot of the lane. You’ll meet me there, honest 
Injun, Betty? ” 

44 Honest Injun! Hope I may die! ” 

She had followed him to the edge of the porch 
and stood looking down at him as he lingered 
a couple of steps below. 

44 Good-night, Betty.” 

Her hand slipped into his outstretched palm. 
44 Good-night, Bob White.” 

44 I’ve had a lovely time.” 

44 So have I.” 

He had not released her hand, and now she 
leaned toward him until the great braid of her 
hair fell across her breast. 

44 Bob White, I’m rather sorry I was so — so 


violent yesterday, when you were carrying 1 me 
and — and did what you did.” 

She was so close to him that he felt her hair 
brush his forehead. The blood was pounding in 
his ears, and his throat was parched. He lifted 
his left hand slowly to her neck to draw her 
lips to his. Then, all at once, he steadied himself. 

44 Oh, you little witch ! ” he said. “ I swear I 
don’t* know whether you’re an innocent or a 
demon. No, no, Betty ! The next time I kiss 
you, you must ask me outright, not merely look 
at me! Do you ask me?” 

She snatched her hand a^vay. “ Certainly not. 
Never ! ” 

“ Good-night, then.” 

“ Good-night, Bob White.” 

She stood motionless until he was lost in the 
darkness, then whistled softly : 



f — p* j- — f *- 


She waited until the call was answered from the 
slope of the hill; then, laughing rather wistfully, 
she sought Aunty Landis. 





VI 

Fessenden joined the others at Sandy wood 
while they were still lingering over coffee in the 
library. His belated appearance, casual and un- 
concerned as he endeavored to make it seem, was 
greeted with a storm of badinage. 

“ Oh, my prophetic soul ! You were becalmed 
sure enough.” 

“ Does the poor boy want a bite to eat ? ” 

66 We were just organizing a relief expedition 
for you, old man.” 

“ What a lonely time you must have had of 
it, Mr. Fessenden ! 99 This last thrust was from 
no less a person than Miss Yarnell. He gave 
her a broad smile in return. 

He allowed the others to believe what they would, 
explaining only that he had been compelled to 
leave the Will-o’- the -Wisp in Piney Cove. Cresap 
promised to send his man up to bring her back 
to the landing-stage. 

64 





“i’m Al'RAlD you’ll FIND THE CABIN-DOOR CATCH IS BROKEN, 
SAID MADGE YARN ELL IN AN UNDERTONE 


MPl 





“ I’m afraid you’ll find the cabin-door c^tch is 
broken,” said Madge Yarnell in an undertone, as 
she halted near Fessenden on her way to bed. 

“ If I hadn’t been sure you’d smashed through 
easily enough, I should have come back to the 
sloop and sailed away with you.” 

“ With me?” 

“ Certainly — made you captive like an old buc- 
caneer. Willy-nilly, I should have clapped you 
under hatches, and sailed for the Spanish Main.” 

Her brooding eyes dwelt long upon him. 
“ That’s very interesting.” She struck her hands 
softly together. “ It’s worth thinking about. 
Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Fessenden.” 

“ I’m not sure I understand.” 

“ Of course you don’t. You’re only a man.” 

In the morning, although he was not down for 
breakfast until nine o’clock, he was ahead of any 
of the others. One of the servants handed him 
a telegram. He read it with amusement over 
Betty’s cleverness. 

Thomas Fessenden, 

Sandywood, Polocoke County, Maryland. 

Meet me Club one o’clock. Important personal matter. 
Want your advice. Don’t fail me. Charles Danton . 

He requested the butler to turn over the tele- 
gram to Mr. and Mrs. Cresap, and to explain 
65 


H 




to them that he would be back at Sandywood be- 
fore dinner. On the plea that he vastly preferred 
a walk, he managed to evade the man’s suggestion 
that the car be brought round to take him to 
Sandywood Station. 

Precisely at ten o’clock he was cooling his 
heels on the stone wall at the foot of the lane. 

In that shaded hollow the sun had not yet 
pierced to dry the dew from the wild myrtle. 
Now and then the clambering creepers rustled 
where a field-mouse ran shyly through them. An 
oriole flashed from a sycamore, like an orange 
tossed deftly skyward. Spring was a living pres- 
ence — Fessenden was stirred by its exuberance as 
he had not been these ten years. 

By and by a rattle of wheels came to his ears. 
Presently a serene gray mare hove in sight, es- 
corting, rather than pulling, a low-swung lan- 
dau with an ancient calash-top. So capacious 
was the hood that at first he could descry no 
one in its depths. Then the mare came to a con- 
descending halt, and a laughing face leaned into 
view. 

“ Good-morning, Patience-on-a-Monument.” 

“ Good-morning, Grief. Grief, that’s the fluf- 
fiest hat I ever saw.” 

“ Have you been waiting long? ” 

66 


H 


i-h. 





“ Hours and hours.” 

“ Then, come, get in. We’re going driving 
4 over the hills and far away.’ ” 

She clucked to her steed, and the old mare, 
disdainfully obedient, conveyed them straight 
through the brook — the water rising to the hub — 
and up the windings of a wood-road beyond. 

“ The first thing a man wants to know on a 
picnic,” affirmed Betty sagely, 44 is whether or not 
there’s enough to eat. There isn’t, but there 
will be.” 

44 I rest content. Betty, who taught you to 
dress like that? ” 

44 Do you like me — my clothes, I mean ? ” 

44 I like both, profoundly.” 

She was all in white — fluffy hat, linen shirt- 
waist, duck skirt, and low shoes. Her hair was 
done into some sort of knot on her neck — Fes- 
senden was rather weak at deciphering a girl’s 
coiffure. Her eyes shone wonderfully clear, and 
her smiles were frequent but uncertain, as if she 
bubbled with jokes too ethereal to share even with 
him. 

44 Betty,” he said, 44 do you mind my remark- 
ing that you look adorable to-day? ” 

44 Only to-day ? ” 







“ Well, it sounds a bit impertinent of me, but 
your voice — your talk — your dress ! And, above 
all, you have the air — ah ” 

“Of a lady, Mr. Critic?” 

“ Exactly. One doesn’t expect to find V air dis- 
tingue in a farmer’s daughter.” 

“ A farmer’s niece.” 

“ Of course. Perhaps that makes all the dif- 
ference. Do you mind my asking who your 
mother was, Betty? ” 

“ My mother was related to the first families 
of Maryland.” 

He could hardly forbear a smile at the pride 
manifest in her tone. “ I see. She has a right 
to be proud of her daughter.” 

“Really? Bob White, that’s the very nicest 
thing you could say to me if you’d tried a hundred 
years. Mother died when I was quite a little 
girl.” 

Fessenden was silent. For a while, the girl 
guided the gray mare from wood-road to rambling 
lane, from lane to turnpike, and from turnpike 
back to lane. As they rounded a low hill, Fes- 
08 




senden felt the salt breath of the bay upon his 
face. 

“Where are we bound?” he asked. 

“To Jim George’s. It’s a sort of inn — a very 
rustic inn. He cooks delicious things. People 
come here for dinners from as far as Baltimore, 
but I think it’s too early in the season yet for 
anybody to be here but us.” 

“ I hope so with all my heart.” 

They ascended a sandy track through a little 
forest of pine, and emerged upon an open space. 
At the foot of a bluff the bay stretched to the 
horizon. On the forest side stood a log-cabin, 
amplified on all sides by a veranda of unbarked 
pine. 

From this structure promptly hobbled a white- 
haired darky. 

“ Mawnin’, lady. Mawnin’, gemman, sah. A 
day o’ glory fo’ the time o’ year. Yas, sah, yas, 
ma’am, a real day o’ glory. Won’t you ’light 
down, ma’am ? ” 

“ Of course we will, Jim George, and we want 
some of your best shad.” 

“ Ah d’clar to gracious ! Is that yo’all, Miss 
Betty? Good Lan’! it’s been a coon’s age since 
I seen yo’ purty face round hyah. It does me 
proud to see a ” 


rr* 











1kg 







“ Shad and corn-pone, Jim George,” she in- 
terrupted. 66 I want you to show this gentleman 
we can still cook in the South.” 

“ Ah’ll show him. Ah’ll show him, Miss Betty. 
Rufe! Rufe! Come hyah and take Miss Betty’s 
hoss.” 

A boy led the mare away, and Fessenden and 
the girl established themselves in a hammock under 
a solitary oak at the bluff’s edge. 

He drew a long breath of the salt air and 
smiled at his companion. “ This is Paradise, and 
not even a serpent to mar it.” 

In an incredibly short time Jim George ap- 
peared, bearing a tray piled high with eatables, 
and proceeded to spread the cloth on a table under 
the oak. 

“ Miss Betty,” he said, “ and, gemman, sah, 
there’s a shad-roe as is a shad-roe. Jes’ yo’ eat 
it with all the buttah yo’ kin spread on it. This 
hyah co’n-pone needs a spoon for it. Them baked 
’taters growed theirselfs right hyah in the patch 
behint the house. They’s as sweet as honey. And 
hyah’s some milk. Yo’ ’member Jersey Molly, 
Miss Betty? Yas’m, this is her milk. None o’ 
yo’ pastorilized stuff neither — this is jes’ plain 
milk." 

“ Betty,” said Fessenden, when Jim George had 
70 


H 

































































































. 




























































































































































































































# 








■ 




































































































3 


> 0 ^ 



left them to themselves, 44 allow me to drink your 
health in Jersey Molly wine.” 

She touched her tumbler laughingly to his. 
44 Skoal ! Bob White, do you know it was only 
the day before yesterday you picked me out of 
the brook? ” 

44 I was just thinking of that. At any rate, 
we’re better acquainted than people ordinarily are 
in months.” 

44 In three days ? ” 

“ Certainly,” he maintained. 

44 You’re a very funny man.” 

44 I’m perfectly serious.” 

44 I was wondering why you should care to come 
on a picnic with me. I’m only a country girl, 
after all, and you — you’re different.” 

44 I care to come because you are you , and that’s 
plenty reason enough.” 

44 Hum-m.” 

44 Can you say as much? ” 

44 I’m not sure.” 

44 Cruel child ! ” 

44 I didn’t say no — I only said I wasn’t sure.” 

The afternoon slipped away, and at last they 
ordered their equipage for the homeward drive. 
Old Jim George bowed them off. 

44 Good-by, Miss Betty. Good-by, gemman, 
71 


H 


sah. Ah hope yo’ bofe come hyah agin right soon 
— yas, indeedy, and I hope yo’ come tcgedder, 
too. Yah ha!” He screened his mouth behind 
his hand and added in a stage whisper : 44 Miss 
Betty, that’s a mighty fine gemman yo’s got, 
he is so, mighty fine.” 

They pursued the even tenor of their way home- 
ward. The early butterflies flicked the gray 
mare’s nose. Blackbirds pilfered a meal from 
the plowed fields beside the road. Once a thrush 
— to Betty’s infinite delight — perched on the 
dashboard and sang a hasty trill. 

44 Spring is lovely,” declared Betty. 

44 Lovely,” agreed Fessenden with enthusiasm, 
and did not feel guilty of a commonplace. 

Into the calm of their content came the clatter 
of distant hoofs. 

44 There’s some one riding down that crossroad 
there,” said Betty. 44 A woman. Is she waving 
at us, do you think? ” 

They peered out from the calash-top, and 
made out a horsewoman galloping down a side- 
path toward them. Her whip was going cn her 
horse’s flank, and now and then she brandished it 
as if to signal the two in the landau. 

Betty pulled up. 44 Let’s see what she wants.” 

In another moment the horsewoman was near 
72 




enough to bring an exclamation of recognition 
from Fessenden. “Hello! I believe it’s Miss 
Yarnell.” 

“ Miss Yarnell? ” 

“ The girl who said she recognized the envelope 
you sent me the other day. Perhaps she wants 
to ask the way home.” 

Miss Yarnell rode out of the crossroad full 
tilt, and only checked her sorrel when his nose 
was within a foot of the gray mare’s. Fessenden 
viewed this characteristic impetuosity with 
curiosity, which changed to amazement when his 
eyes fell upon her face. Her eyes were blazing, 
and her teeth were clenched. 

She did not wait to be interrogated, but faced 
the calash-top. 

“ I’ve been looking for you ! ” she cried. “ Come 
out here where we can talk.” Her tones were 
not loud, but her voice was choked with passion, 
and she lifted her riding-whip as she spoke. 
“ Come out ! I want to have a talk with you.” 

The response was more prompt than she could 
have anticipated. Before she could carry out 
her evident purpose of forcing her uneasy horse 
to the very dashboard, Fessenden slipped from the 
landau, ducked under the mare’s head, and, seiz- 
ing the sorrel by the bit, forced him back. 

73 









^ yvvu, am, a«m. a 

her” Again the silver-mounted whip was brand- 
ished toward the calash-top. 

Betty’s piquant face emerged from its depths. 
“Are you looking for me?” she asked very 
sweetly. 

Miss Yarnell’s arm fell. She stared at the child- 
ish face — at the wide-opened blue eyes and slender 
figure. 

“ O-oh ! ” Her voice was tremulous, all hint 
of violence gone from it. “ You! I thought it 
was — I thought it was some one else.” 

“ At any rate, it isn’t proper to threaten one 
with a whip,” said Betty gravely. 

“ I — I know it. There ! ” Her arm swung up, 
and the whip spun a flashing arc through the air 
before falling into a field of ripening wheat,. 
“ The hateful thing!” She faced the girl again. 
“ I’m sorry. I’ve been acting like a fool. I beg 
your pardon — and yours too, Mr. Fessenden.” 

She checked the horse she had already started 
to wheel, and appealed to Betty. “ I must ask 
you. I came after you because I thought you 








were — were some one else. I thought so because 
of that envelope Thursday.” 

44 A Baltimore friend of mine happens to have 
lent me a box of her notepaper.” There was im- 
patience in Betty’s explanation. 

44 O-oh, I see ! But — please ! — that telegram 
from Charlie to him ” — she indicated Fessenden. 
46 I supposed — some one — had sent that — to put 
me off the track.” 

44 It wasn’t sent from White Cottage.” 

44 Then it was real? ” 

44 I know nothing about it,” returned the girl 
icily. 

Miss Yarnell wheeled her horse. 44 It was real ! 
And I’ve been wasting time — wasting time ! ” 
Going helter-skelter, she was out of sight before 
Fessenden had time to resume his seat in the 
carriage. 

44 Whew!” he said, as they resumed their jog- 
trot pace. 44 She is a queer fish ! But, Betty, why 
tell a tarradiddle, even to get rid of her? ” 

44 1 didn’t.” 

44 1 mean about the telegram you sent me.” 

44 I didn’t send you one.” 

44 What ! One came — signed by Charles Dan- 
ton, too, just as we arranged last night.” 

44 I had nothing to do with it. After you went 
75 




away, I remembered that I didn’t know your real 
name, and I was afraid a telegram for 4 Bob 
White, Esquire,’ left in the servants’ hands, would 
go wrong. So I didn’t send it. I wondered how 
you’d get away to meet me, but I knew you 
would contrive some excuse.” 

In his mind’s eye, he saw the address of the 
telegram, 44 Thomas Fessenden,” yet it was true 
that his identity was unknown to his companion 
— through her own caprice, to be sure. 

He gave a long whistle. 44 Then that wire really 
was from Danton. By Jove! if he wanted my 
advice about * anything, he ought to have let me 
know in time. Confound him, it’s too late now ! 
It serves him right.” 

He turned to look for sympathy in Betty’s 
eyes, only to find there a light that baffled him. 

44 Are you angry with me about anything? ” 

44 I’m not sure whether I am or not. Men are 
so — so bad, and so presumptuous.” 

44 Good heavens ! Have I done anything? ” 

But in spite of all he could do to solve this new 
Betty, she set him down at the foot of the lane 
a very perplexed young man. 






H 







At Sandy wood, Fessenden was little surprised 
to learn that Miss Yarnell had been summoned 
home to Baltimore — on account of sickness in her 
family. 

“ I think she must have gotten a telegram a,t 
the station,” said Polly Cresap. “ She’d been out 
riding, and when she came in she was in quite a 
flutter, and told us she had to go home imme- 
diately. I really didn’t understand just who was 
sick. We’re to send her things after her. You 
didn’t see her at Sandy wood Station, did you, 
Tom? She must have taken the same train you 
came in on.” 

“ No,” returned Fessenden, truthfully enough. 
“ She’s rather a headlong sort, don’t you think? ” 
“ Yes, I suppose so. But, poor girl, she has a 
food deal on her mind! You know, before this 

disgraceful affair of Charlie Danton’s with ” 

“ Polly ! ” said her husband warningly. 

77 


VII 







44 But nobody knows anything, my dear.” 

“ At any rate,” she rattled on, “ before this 
affair, Madge was quite fond of Charlie Danton, 
and now I believe she’s eating her heart out.” 

44 Remember, Fessenden has just been up to 
Baltimore to meet Danton,” cautioned Cresap. 
44 How do you know it wasn’t about this very thing?” 

44 Oh, goodness, Tom ! Am I rushing in where 
angels fear to tread? ” 

44 Not at all,” he assured her. 44 Danton didn’t 
mention the matter at all.” 

44 Besides, Polly,” said Cresap, 44 no girl eats 
her heart out nowadays. That sort of thing dates 
back to hoop-skirts and all that. Madge Yamell 
can take care of herself, I’ll wager.” 

The next day was Sunday, and for Fessenden 
the morning dragged rather wearily. But after 
luncheon he had the inspiration to suggest a sail 
in the Will-o’- the- Wisp. May Belle and Cleborne 
announced that they had already arranged to go 
for a walk together, but the others avowed their 
willingness to sail. 

The wind was fresh, and Mrs. Dick Randall sat 
beside Fessenden at the wheel, and met the flying 
spray merrily. Dick himself flirted with Polly 


Cresap under the protection of the jibsail for- 
ward. Cresap drowsed accommodatingly at full 
length in the lee gangway. 

“ Harry Cleborne and May Belle think two are 
company,” said Mrs. Dick. 

44 Are they engaged? ” 

44 Oh, I imagine there’s only an understanding.” 

44 Do you think that sort of arrangement is 
dignified? ” 

44 What a funny way to put it ! No, I don’t 
think so, now that you put it that way. Madge 
Yarnell, now — Charlie Danton and she had only 
an understanding — everybody took it for granted 
they’d be married some day — and look how it’s 
turned out.” 

44 But I understood their falling-out was due 
to outside influence — wasn’t it? ” 

44 Partly, of course. But a regular engagement 
would have had more dignity about it, just as you 
say, and they would have had to be more careful.” 

44 No doubt.” 

44 Now, there’s Roland Cary ” went on Mrs. 

Dick. 

“ The handsome cousin Polly spoke of the other 
day? ” 

44 Yes. There’s a dignified person for you. 


79 



Hum-m ! Dignified in some ways, but a perfect 
dee-vil in others.” 

“ He must be a very interesting sort. I’d 
like to meet him.” 

“ Oh, he — he is interesting. But I’m worried 
about Madge and Charlie Danton’s case.” 

64 1 agree with Cresap — Miss Yamell will fol- 
low her own course, whatever that may be.” 

44 I suppose so.” 

The bracing air and the dancing yacht, if not 
the conversation, held Fessenden’s interest for an 
hour or two. As he headed toward home* the glory 
of the day put a happy idea into his head. He 
would return Betty’s picnic of yesterday by a 
day’s sail on the Wisp. Somehow he would man- 
age to elude his Sandywood responsibilities again. 

Darkness always fell long before d'nner was 
served at Sandywood. Therefore, Fessenden, 
going for a stroll in the wilderness cf a garden, 
ostensibly to indulge in an ante-prandial cigar, 
found in the dusk no difficulty in extending his 
walk to White Cottage. 

A boyish sense of romance always took pos- 
session of him when he approached Betty’s vicinity. 
A knock at the cottage door, and a direct inquiry 
for her, would have been too commonplace. No 
workaday method of communication would suffice 
80 




upper part of the house, while the lower story 
was in darkness. Apparently, the farmer’s family 
was already preparing to retire for the night. 

Fessenden scouted about the place, smiling to 
himself at the absurdity of his own action. 

There was nothing to indicate which room was 
Betty’s, and at a venture he tossed a handful of 
gravel against the panes of the corner room — then 
another. 

Betty’s head and shoulders were the response, 
framed in the glow of the lamp gleaming through 
the white curtain behind her. The face, delicately 
oval, and the slender throat, seemed wrought of 
gold. 

44 4 So shines a good deed in a naughty world,’ ” 
said Fessenden aloud. 

44 Who’s there? ” she called. 

44 It’s I.” 

44 Oh, you! ” 

44 Yes. Can you come down a minute?” 

44 No.” 

44 Please come down, Betty. I want to see you 
about something.” 

44 No-o, I can’t. Is it anything important? ” 
81 



“ Immensely important. You aren’t vexed with 
me still, are you? ” 

“ Of course not. And, Bob White, I didn’t 
tell you yesterday, but I did appreciate it very 
much.” 

“Good! — but what?” 

“ The way you jumped out of the carriage and 
seized her horse, when she was so belligerent. It 
was very capable in you.” 

“ If it weren’t dark down here, you could see 
me blushing. Come down and see.” 

“ No. Bob White, you haven’t come around 
here like a Romeo to — to say good-by, have you ? ” 

“ Heaven forbid, Betty! I want to ask you to 
go on a picnic with me to-morrow, in my sail- 
boat.” 

“ Oh, goody ! Hum-m ! I don’t know. For 
how long? ” 

“ All day. We can sail down to Rincoteague 
Island and back.” 

“Who’s to go?” 

“ Only you and I, of course.” 

“ I’m afraid that wouldn’t be quite — well, 
quite ” 

“ Oh, I see. Then your aunt is invited, too, of 
course — but reluctantly.” 

82 


H 



^ ^ 







“ We’ll come,” she said, with decision, 
we bring the luncheon?” 

66 No. The sloop has a lot of stuff on board 
now. Besides, there used to be a hotel on Rin- 
coteague — such as it was. I’ll have the Wisp 
in Piney Cove at nine to-morrow. We must start 
early, you know.” 

“We’ll be there. Thank you very much.” 

“ Betty, do come out a minute — long enough 
to shake hands. I haven’t seen you all day.” 

“You funny man!” she said. “If I weren’t 
— a farmer’s girl, I should think you were flirt- 
ing” 

He was unable to muster an instant reply. A 
shade, snapped sharply down, cut the fair hair 
and laughing face from his view. 

There was nothing left for him to do but to 
make his way back to Sandywood, which he did 
very thoughtfully. 

After dinner the men grouped themselves in 
easy chairs at a corner of the porch, to enjoy 
their cigarettes. Harry Cleborne drew his chair 
to Fessenden’s. 

“ Will you try one of my home-growns, Mr. 
Fessenden?” he proffered. “That tobacco was 
raised on my own plantation.” 

83 


“ Shall 








Fessenden accepted a cigar, suddenly conscious 
that Cleborne’s unwonted attentions must have 
an ulterior motive. 

“ Thank you. You’re a Marylander, then ? ” 

“ Virginian,” returned the other. “ My home’s 
in old Albemarle. I’ve seen a good deal of Mary- 
land the last year or two, though.” His eyes 
strayed toward the white gowns of the women. 

“ Maryland has its attractions,” said Fessen- 
den. 

“Yes, that’s so — even for you?” 

“ Oh, yes, for me, too.” 

Cleborne folded his arms, crossed one leg over 
the other, and blew a long cloud of smoke. “ Look 
here, Mr. Fessenden,” he said, “ that’s what I 
want to speak to you about — Maryland attrac- 
tions.” He spoke with evident embarrassment. 
“ May Belle — Miss Cresap — and I saw you yes- 
terday, sitting on the wall at the end of the 
lane to White Cottage.” 

“Hum! You did?” 

“ Yes. We were out for an early morning 
walk. Of course, then, we know you didn’t go to 
Baltimore — not on the morning train, at any 
rate.” 

“ Well? ” 

84 







Impatience showed in Fessenden’s tone, and the 
other went on quickly: “We were out for a 
stroll again this evening, and — you may think it’s 
none of my business, but we saw her. She was 
at the window as we passed the house.” 

“ You seem to be fond of walking.” 

“ It was entirely an accident both times. But 
it won’t do, Mr. Fessenden.” 

“ May I ask what won’t do? ” 

“ I don’t want to be impertinent, sir — you’re 
an older man than I — but, of course, it’s easy 
enough to guess that you’ve been going over to 
White Cottage because she's there. Isn’t that 
so?” 

“ Certainly it’s so. But is there any harm in 
that? ” 

“ There may not be any harm yet, but won’t 
there be ? ” 

“ This is ridiculous. Betty isn’t much more 
than a child — a very charming one, I admit.” 

“ Who ? ” demanded Cleborne, “ Betty ? ” 

“ Betty Landis, man. Aren’t you talking about 
her? ” 

“ Never heard of her,” returned the other 
shortly. “ I’m talking about you know whom, 
Mr. Fessenden. I’m sorry I spoke. I wanted 
85 


H 









to give you a friendly hint that you should let 
another man look after his — his own himself. I 
don’t care to be laughed at in this way.” 

44 What the devil do you mean? ” 

Cleborne pushed back his chair savagely. 44 I’m 
through,” he snapped. 

As good as his word, he stalked off to join 
May Belle. 




Dawn was reddening the leaves of the oak out- 
side the window when Fessenden awoke. From the 
great bay below the house came the ruffle of water 
— the wind was freshening. But it was not the 
mutter along the shore, nor the tang of the salt 
air, that had aroused him. 

What could that idiot, Cleborne, have been 
driving at in his talk of Betty? No, Cleborne 
had declared he had never heard of her. Then 
whom could his dark hints be about? Was the 
Virginian a subtle joker, acting at the instigation 
of Polly or Mrs. Dick? It was not unlikely. 
And did Madge Yarnell’s peculiar conduct have 
any connection with the matter? 

While he was still puzzling over Cleborne’s 
words, he fell asleep, and when he awoke again, 
at a more reasonable hour, his mind instantly be- 
came too full of plans for the day’s excursion 
with Betty to hold any conflicting thoughts. 









At eight o’clock he ate his eggs, toast, and 
coffee, solving the problem of presenting a suffi- 
cient excuse for his proposed day’s absence by 
the simple process of not attempting it. 

At the last moment, the freshening wind sug- 
gested the probable need of ample protection from 
the weather. Accordingly, he carried a double 
armful of steamer-rugs and rain-coats from the 
house to the Wisp. 

In five minutes he was standing for Piney Cove. 
It took him half an hour or more to reach it, 
for the wind, blowing steadily from the northwest, 
held him back. He was rewarded by finding Betty 
and Aunty Landis awaiting him on the beach. 

“ Good-morning, Mrs. Landis. Hail, Dryad of 
the Pines ! ” 

“ Hail, Old Man of the Sea ! ” 

Her eyes were as clear as twin pools ; her lips 
were smiling, ready as always to laugh with him 
or at him, as opportunity might offer. She held 
her head with that defiant tilt of the chin that was 
to him one of her always-remembered character- 
istics. The sunlight flashed from the bay to the 
shining braid of her hair. 

Her white sailor suit was set off by two daring 
bands of color — a scarlet handkerchief at her 
throat, and a scarlet sash about her waist. That 
88 


H 






most effective head-dress, a man-o’-war’s-man’s 
white hat, crowned her head. Fessenden’s eyes 
dwelt upon her with such frank delight that she 
blushed a little as Mrs. Landis followed her on 
board the Wisp. 

The course was set southeast for Rincoteague 
Island. After a dubious phrase or two about the 
weather, Aunty Landis ensconced herself just 
within the opened doors of the little cabin. Here 
she produced an infinite number of gigantic stock- 
ings (male) from a work-bag, and proceeded to 
darn them. 

44 I hope both you and your aunt are good 
sailors,” said Fessenden. 44 It promises to be a 
bit rough before we get back.” 

44 Oh, yes. I hope it does blow. To be wet and 
cold, and to see the water boiling up ready to 
drown us — that would be living ! ” 

44 You strange child! You have a philosophy 
all your own. Did you know that? ” 

She nodded sagely. 44 Of course. I hate people 
who haven’t. That’s one reason I like you.” 

44 Thank you. I’m glad to hear you confess 
that there’s more reasons than one. I like you 
because — because you seem to me to be all golden. 
Perhaps the sun dazzles me.” 

89 



“ Perhaps,” she smiled. 

“You and the day are golden, but remember 
the song in Cymbeline: 


Golden lads and girls all must 
As chimney sweepers come to dust.” 


“ ‘ Golden lads and girls,’ ” she repeated softly. 
“ Oh, they can never come to dust while there 
are days like this to sail and sail ! ” 

Her arms, extended yearningly, as if she would 
have plucked the secret of youth from the tossing 
bay, fell to her side. “ I wish we could sail for- 
ever — never to go back to the sad land.” 

He thrilled. “ So do I. Let’s do it — you and 
I together.” 

“ And Aunty Landis ? ” 

“ I’m not so sure about Aunty Landis. The 
stockings might give out, you know.” 

They had left Piney Cove not long after nine. 
With the strong northwester behind them, they 
made such progress that before two o’clock they 
were in sight of their destination. 

Rincoteague Island lies on the very border-line 
between ocean and bay. On the eastern side, it 
is crowned by a straggling forest of pine and oak, 
and looks almost boldly toward the near waters 
of the Atlantic. A small hotel, and rows of bath- 





houses, mark it as a “ resort ” — a resort sustained 
by the excursion steamer that makes daily trips 
thereto from the towns of the mainland. 

Although aware that the Wisp had been mak- 
ing extraordinary speed, it was not until Fessen- 
den bore up direct for Rincoteague that he 
realized how the wind was freshening. He had 
put his helm down a little carelessly, and instantly 
a cupful of water took him in the back. He 
glanced astern, to find quite a sea racing after. 

“ Positively it’s roughing up,” he said. “ Will 
you be afraid to face a head sea going home, 
Betty? ” 

“No, indeed; not with such a sailor as you, 
Bob White.” 

“ Good ! The sloop could live through a hur- 
ricane, 4 so let the wild winds blow-ow-ow.’ ” 

They stood in for Rincoteague pier. T.he ex- 
cursion steamer had just disgorged its passengers 
there, and the sight of the horde convinced the 
party on the Wisp that the inevitable fish-and- 
oyster dinner at the hotel was not likely to prove 
a thing of beauty. Accordingly, Betty took the 
wheel and skilfully put the sloop alongside a 
smaller pier — rather rotted and insecure, to be 
sure — on the lee or ocean side of the island. 

91 



While Fessenden was making the Wisp fast, 
Mrs. Landis and Betty explored the larder, with 
highly satisfactory results. Potted slices of 
chicken, strawberry jam, boxed crackers, pickles, 
and aerated waters of several sorts, furnished 
44 eatin’ stuff enough for anybody,” as Mrs. Landis 
avowed. She herself had thought to bring half 
a dozen wooden picnic plates and a complement 
of knives, forks, and spoons. 

44 Did you stock the Wisp for a polar expedi- 
tion, Bob White? ” asked Betty. 

44 Oh, all this stuff was left in her by the man 
I bought her from. I suppose it would have been 
more trouble to move the stores than they were 
worth. Have you everything you want? Then 
4 all ashore that’s going ashore ! ’ ” 

They ate their luncheon in a sheltered hollow at 
the lower end of the islet. A projecting clay 
bank, a huge stranded log, and an overhanging 
holly-tree made almost a cave of it. Aunty 
Landis was a highly satisfactory chaperon. After 
luncheon, when she was not darning, she was 
perusing a pamphlet of Sunday School lessons. 
And when this was finished, she brought a leather- 
bound memorandum-book from the bottomless 
work-bag, and entered upon an intricate calcu- 
lation of household accounts. 

92 






that the farmer’s daughter who could hold a man 
of his experience by her side for the better part 
of three days must possess extraordinary charm. 

“Now we are in the pirates’ den,” said Betty, 
44 and that log is a treasure-chest full of — of 
what? ” 

44 Of doubloons and pieces of eight. I’m the 
pirate chief, and you are my captured bride.” 

44 Oh, goodness ! ” 

44 Do you know, I made a remark something 
like that to Miss Yarnell the other day, and she 
took it quite seriously ? ” 

44 Was she afraid of the pirate chief? ” 

44 She eyed me in that brooding, blazing way 
of hers — you remember how she looked when she 
tried to ride over us on the road the other day? ” 

44 Remember ! ” 

44 Exactly. She eyed me in that fashion, then 
thanked me for the suggestion.” 

44 What did she mean?” 

44 I haven’t the least idea. Betty, what do you 
know about her ? ” 

The girl put her hand suddenly on his arm. 
“ What was that ? A drop of water ? I do be- 
93 






The thought brought them to their feet, and 
out of their sheltered hollow. They found a> 
changed world. 

While they ate, clouds had been gathering 
west and north, and now seemed to fill the whole 
space from bay to sky* A mile or two beyond 
the island, a white line advancing over the churn- 
ing waters gave promise of a furious squall. 
Worst of all, the wind had risen until, even on 
their leeward side of the island, the swell was 
momentarily growing heavier. 

“ By George ! ” said Fessenden. “ It looks as 
if we were in for it. Betty, we’d better have a 
look at the Wisp. That rotten old wharf ! ” 

46 I’ll race you to it ! ” she cried. 

He overtook her in half a dozen strides, and 
throwing his arm about her shoulders, fairly swept 
her along with himself. She came no higher than 
his shoulders as she ran. Her eyes laughed up 
at him, and her shining hair brushed his lips. 
Aunty Landis was left hopelessly in the rear. 

At the old pier, the waves, running far in be- 
neath the flooring, were breaking against the 
ancient piles, while the structure complained in 
94 




e> 



every joint. The Wisp, tied stem and stern to 
a string-piece, was plunging furiously. 

“ She seems to be all right, 1 ” said Fessenden, 
“ but I think I’ll put an extra half-hitch in each 
of those lines.” He still steadied Betty against 
the wind as he spoke. “ It wouldn’t be pleasant 
to be forced to go home in that excursion boat.” 

Releasing his companion, reluctantly enough, 
he made his way out on the wharf. She promptly 
followed. 

66 Go back, child. The wind will blow 


away. 


“ I’m — all — right,” she gasped as he bent over 
the stern -line. “ The rain will be here in a minute, 
and we’ll need the rain-coats.” She sprang aboard 
gaily. 

“ Come back ! ” he ordered. “ I don’t believe 
it’s safe, Betty.” 

“ Only a minute,” she called. She waved a 
careless hand and dived into the cabin. 

At that instant, a wave struck the Wisp on the 
inboard quarter and heaved her strongly outward. 
The stern-line held staunchly, but under the tre- 
mendous strain the string-piece gave way like the 
rotted punk it was, not a foot in front of 









“ Betty ! ” he roared. “ Betty ! ” 

His cry stirred the heart of the girl within the 
cabin, and brought her instantly onto the floor 
of the cockpit. Before she could realize the 
danger of the situation, the worst had occurred. 

He was already kneeling at the forward line, 
heaving hand over hand to haul the bow of the 
Wisp alongside. The sloop was almost within 
reach when another wave struck her. The line was 
snatched from his fingers, and the yacht, flung to 
the full length of the rope, carried away the 
string-piece as before. The Wisp was adrift ! 

As the timber sank under his feet, Fessenden 
clutched at a wharf stanchion. By a miracle, he 
saved himself from going overboard. 

As if recoiling from the freedom so suddenly 
won, the Wisp took a slight sheer toward the 
pier. The tide, running like a mill-race, swept 
her broadside past Fessenden. 

“Betty!” 

The girl, her body lithe and alert, had been 
steadying herself by the safety-rail of the cabin 
roof. Her face had whitened at the sight of 
Fessenden’s peril, but it was only now, in response 
to his hoarse shout, that a sound escaped her. 

“ Bob White ! ” she cried, her arms suddenly 
96 


H 



extended in piteous appeal. 44 Oh, Bob White ! ” 

The watery space between the wharf and the 
sloop was hopelessly wide, but, uttering an in- 
articulate and despairing oath, he took two run- 
ning steps and leaped. 

He struck fair on his feet on the very rail of 
the Wisp , stood tottering, fought wildly for his 
balance — and then Betty’s firm little hand plucked 
him safely inboard. 

44 Thank you, Bob White,” she said. 

There was no time to return even a smile in 
answer. He gripped the wheel and gave the sloop 
a sheer with the hope of beaching her outright. 
But wind and wave caught her. 

44 Close the hatch ! ” he roared. 

As it happened, the forward hatch-cover was 
already in place. Betty snapped to the sliding 
storm-door of the cabin barely in time. A sea 
swept the Wisp from end to end, flattening Betty 
against the side of the cabin, and nearly swamping 
the yacht at a blow. 

Fessenden was glad to escape by putting the 
craft dead before the wind. Bare-poled as she 
was, the Wisp fled southeastward like a fright- 
ened thing. The rain, the clouds, and the night 
overtook them together. 

With a thrill, Fessenden felt a long, regular 
97 





swell suddenly begin to lift the battling yacht. 
There was still enough of daylight to permit him 
a sight of Betty’s pale little face. 

“ Betty,” he said, “ don’t be frightened, but I’m 
afraid we’re clear of the Capes. This feels like 
the Atlantic.” 

She made a staggering rush and reached the 
lockers. There she sat down beside him as he 
struggled with the wheel. The spray flew clear 
over them again and again. 

She laid her wet cheek an instant against his 
arm. “The ocean?” she said. “I hope you 
won’t be seasick, Bob White. I know / won’t.” 

“ You’re a trump,” he said. 




IX 


Now and then the sloop yawed alarmingly as 
they ran before the wind. 

“ This won’t do,” said Fessenden. “ I must 
get some sail on to steady her. Do you think 
you’re strong enough to hold the wheel, Betty? ” 

She gripped the spokes, her hands beneath his. 
The quiet strength of his clasp comforted her 
mind no less than her body, — in a moment she 
nodded confidently. 

Leaving the helm in her charge, Fessenden 
literally crawled forward. Ordinarily, the jib was 
handled by means of the sheet led aft through 
a couple of small blocks to the helmsman, so that 
one man could both sail and steer without moving 
from his place. Now, however, the fierceness of 
the wind impelled Fessenden to extra precautions 
in his endeavor to make sail. 

He took care to wrap the sheet twice about a 
cleat before hoisting away, but as soon as the jib 


99 




rose above the low gunwale, the wind tore it from 
the lower bolt-ropes, and it blew straight out, 
held only by the bowsprit halliard. 

He would have attempted to recover the ironed- 
out sail by reaching for it with a boat-hook — 
a foolhardy undertaking at any time — but 
Betty, divining his intention as he showed black 
against the whitening crest of the waves, screamed 
so shrilly that he desisted. There was nothing 
left for him to do but to make his way back to 
the wheel. 

44 Child,” he said, 64 you’re wet through, and I’m 
afraid we’ve a wetter time before us. There’s 
no use in your staying out here to get soaked 
every other minute. Go in the cabin, out of 
harm’s way.” 

44 But you’re being soaked, too.” 

44 I’m a man.” 

44 I’ll stay with you.” 

44 No, you won’t. I can’t think of letting you 
do that. Watch your chance and get inside there. 
Slide the hatch-cover to, sharp, before any water 
gets in.” 

Rather to his surprise, she yielded, and dex- 
terously slipped into the cabin. Although her 
presence had been more comfort to him than he 
realized until she was gone, he bent his whole 






attention to keeping the Wisp from broaching to, 
which would have meant the end. 

The worst of the rain-squall had passed, but 
the night was as black as a wolf’s mouth. The 
wind blowing half a gale, piled up the waves 
behind the Wisp to a height that might well have 
proved a menace to a craft three times her size. 
Thanks to her tight-closed hatches and her sea- 
worthiness, she shed water like a petrel, yet the 
towering swell of the Atlantic might crush her 
at any moment. If they fell an instant into the 
trough of the sea, they were lost. 

Fessenden contemplated the possibility of con- 
structing a sea-anchor. But whatever might 
have been possible for an experienced seaman, his 
nautical knowledge was too limited for him to 
undertake the work. 

And even if he could make and successfully 
launch a sea-anchor, the most dangerous part of 
the task would follow — that long and terrible 
moment it would take for the sloop to swing round, 
head on to the sea. The waves might roll her 
over and over before he could even clasp Betty 
in his arms. The risk was too great. He breathed 
an inward prayer, and held the Wisp resolutely 
before the wind. 

He had three dangers to face — the ever-present 




terrbr of being overtaken by the following sea, 
the likelihood of being dashed against a hidden 
coast in the black night, and the chance of being 
run down by some merchantman or man-o’-war, 
threshing through the dark. 

Suddenly the cabin hatch snapped open and 
shut again. 

“ Betty ! ” 

“ I’m going to stay with you.” 

“ Go back.” 

“ No. See, I’m wrapped up splendidly. And 
here are oilskins for you.” 

Indeed, a quaint figure she made of it, in a 
rain-coat miles too big for her slender body, and 
a sou’wester hat, somewhere discovered, fairly en- 
gulfing her little head. 

For the first time that night, he laughed boy- 
ishly. “You dear child! You mustn’t stay, 
though.” 

“ Put these on, Bob White. Perhaps you’ll 
get dry underneath.” 

Still keeping a controlling hand on the wheel, 
he managed with Betty’s help to encase himself in 
the fisherman’s oilskins she had found. 

“ Now, then,” he said, “ you must go in.” 

For answer, she seated herself beside him.' “ No, 
I want to stay here. I’m afraid to be alone in 
102 






there — with you out here, and the dreadful black 
water all about.” 

“ I thought you weren’t afraid of anything.” 

“ I’m going to stay.” 

“You can’t, Betty. I order you to go in.” 

“ I won’t go.” 

“ Betty,” he cried in despair, “ it will be better 
for me if you’re out of the way. Don’t you 
see? ” 

“ No-o, I don’t.” 

“You’ll be safer.” 

“ You know I won’t. You’re only trying to 
make me comfortable, while you are left out here 
in the cold and wet. Let me stay. If — if we 
must be drowned, I want to be near you, Bob 
White — please.” 

There was no resisting this appeal. A thrill 
of pity went through him as he looked down at 
the slight form crouching under the all-too-low 
gunwale. She should not die if he could prevent 
it. 

“ Can you see the compass? ” he asked. “ How 
are we heading? ” 

She rubbed a little of the brine from the bin- 
nacle-glass. “ Yes; now I see it. North is where 
that mark is, isn’t it? Oh, I know — southwest 
by south.” 

103 





44 What? Look again.” 

44 That’s right. Sou’west by sou’.” 

44 Then the wind is shifting to the northeast. 
Betty, we’re headed for Cape Hatteras.” 

The dread name apparently produced no alarm 
in the girl’s mind. 44 I’ve always wanted to be 
in a storm off Hatteras.” 

44 Well, you’re likely to have your wish before 
morning, if this gale keeps up.” 

44 If we reach Cape Hatteras in the dark like 
this — 'abruptly — what will happen? ” 

44 I fancy we’ll hurt Cape Hatteras’s feelings.” 
44 Oh!” 

After a silence, he felt her hand touch his arm 
as if she needed comfort. 

44 Poor little girl,” he said. 44 Don’t worry. I 
won’t let anything hurt you.” 

44 I know. I’m — all right." 

44 There’s plenty of ocean about Hatteras,” he 
went on, rather to reassure her than because of 
his belief in what he said. 44 We may not get 
near the land. Even if we do, Pamlico Sound is 
just behind it — there’s only a sort of stretched- 
out island between the sound and the ocean. We 
might slip right through an inlet into the Sunny 
South.” 



“ It’s quite possible,” he maintained. 

Presently, to his delight as well as to his sur- 
prise, he heard a little crowing laugh. 

“ What is it? ” 

44 Aunty Landis ! Goodness ! I never thought 
of her until this minute. What will she do ? ” 

“ Go home on the excursion steamer, of course. 
But she’ll have to stay all night at the hotel. The 
steamer isn’t likely to risk crossing the bay dur- 
ing this blow.” 

44 You don’t suppose she’ll think we’re drowned? 
She may be in a terrible fright over us.” 

44 Oh, I hope not.” 

Hour after hour wore on, and still the storm 
drove them southward. All night Fessenden, in 
a way that was afterward a marvel to himself, 
fought a ceaseless battle with the sea and wind. 
His hands were numb and his feet were like ice, 
but he stood staunchly to his task. 

In spite of his urgings, renewed from time to 
time, Betty crouched beside him all night long. 
She too was cold, colder even than he, for she 
could not warm herself by action. Still she held 
her post. Perhaps she knew that her presence 
there was an inspiration to him as real as the 
sight of the flag to the fighting soldier. 

Toward morning the clouds broke overhead. 

105 






The stars began to shine through. Then, to the 
relief of the Wisp's crew, the wind began to fall, 
and about dawn the waves had ceased to be 
formidable. 

“ Betty,” said Fessenden joyfully, “ I really 
believe we’ve pulled through.” 

“ Hurrah!” 

While she held the wheel, he managed to lay 
hold of the now flapping jib, and to set it after 
a fashion. This greatly steadied the sloop. 

Then, at last, Betty consented to listen to his 
persuasions to turn in in the cabin. 

“ We’re pretty well out of danger now,” he 
declared, “ Go in and rest* Betty. Take off those 
dripping clothes ” 

“ Only steaming, please.” 

“ Amendment accepted ! But take them off and 
go to bed. I’m afraid you’ll be sick — and then 
what should I do ? ” 

“Will you promise to wake me in an hour? 
You are the tired one. I’ve loafed all night.” 

“ I’ll wake you when I think it’s time to turn 
the wheel over to you. I promise you that.” 

“ I’ll go to bed, then.” 

“ Good ! And, Betty, light that oil range and 
dry your clothes by it. Now, off with you, 


4 









3 



It was full daylight, although the sun was not 
yet visible. For the first time in many hours 
their faces were plain to each other’s view. Both 
were pale with the long night’s exposure, but both 
were smiling. 

Betty lingered in the act of closing the cabin- 
hatch upon herself. 44 You’ll be sure to wake me 
soon ? ” 

44 Yes.” 

44 What a night we’ve had ! ” 

44 Rather lively, wasn’t it? I assure, I’m glad 
to see you this morning.” 

44 I’m glad to see you. Oh, very glad ! ” 

She closed the hatch gently behind her. No 
sound of a sliding bolt followed — she trusted him 
too innocently to lock the door against him. 

For a while he heard her moving about, then 
all was quiet. He pictured her tired little body 
cuddled under the blankets while a grateful 
warmth crept over her. He smiled to the gray 
sea at the thought. 

The wind and sea diminished rapidly. The sun 
rose out of the waste to the east, and the last 
of the foul weather fled before it. In an hour 
or so he ventured to hoist the mainsail. The sloop 





H 



toward the southwest. Sooner or later, he knew 
he must sight land in that direction. 

Indeed, it was not yet ten o’clock when a re- 
mote gray line took shape off the starboard bow. 
He could not repress a shout of joy: 

“ Land ! Land ho ! Land ! ” 

In a moment the cabin-hatch was opened wide 
enough to let a sleepy voice be heard. “ Did 
you call me, Bob White? ” 

“ I didn’t mean to wake you, child, but land’s 
in sight.” 

“Land? Oh, that’s good! But I must have 
been sleeping for hours. You oughtn’t to have 
let me be so selfish.” 

“ Not at all. You can do your trick at the 
wheel whenever you’re ready, and I’ll turn in a 
while.” 

“ I’ll be out in ten minutes — no, twenty, for 
I’m going to get breakfast for you.” 

“ Breakfast ! ” 

“ Certainly. Do you think you can drink a 
cup of hot coffee? ” 

“Jupiter Pluvius! Hot coffee? Alas, I must 
be mad.” 

“ You’ll see,” she laughed. “ In twenty 
minutes.” 

Indeed, it was not long before she again ap- 
108 


peared. 44 I’ve just come to say good-morning.” 

44 Did you sleep well? ” 

44 De-li-ciously. I can only stay a minute — 
breakfast is cooking. You poor man, you’re 
still in your wet clothes, while I’m as ' dry as 
toast.” 

Her garments, down to her very shoes, spread 
since dawn on the racks above the range, were 
dry and even smoothed. Only the scarlet sash and 
handkerchief were missing — the salt water had 
ruined them. 

The braid of shining hair no longer hung down 
her back, but now encircled her head in heavy 
coils, a new and charming arrangement. He was 
vaguely conscious that it made her look strangely 
mature, and endowed her with a mysterious 
dignity. 

44 1 haven’t been really wet for some time,” 
he assured her. 44 If you’ll take charge, I’ll have 
a look at the chart in the locker here. Perhaps 
we can tell where we are.” 

44 I’m not at all sure,” he announced after a 
brief study, 44 but I think we aren’t so far down 
as Hatteras — the wind fell away very rapidly 
toward the last. That may be the North Caro- 
lina coast, though — Currituck Island, perhaps. 

109 



You know the sounds run Currituck, Albemarle, 
and Pamlico.” 

64 I know the coffee must be boiled and the 
ham broiled by this time. Take the wheel and 
let the cook attend to her duties.” 

She flatly refused to touch any breakfast until 
he had eaten his fill and waited upon him in spite 
of his protests. Never had broiled ham, hard 
crackers, and marmalade tasted so good. And 
the strong, hot coffee warmed his very soul. 

“You wonder!” he said, as he presented the 
tin cup for more. 44 Where did you get this 
gorgeous dinner-set? ” 

“ I found it among the pots and pans in the 
galley. There’s quite an assortment your pre- 
decessor left.” 

44 Oh, that coffee! You miracle of a child!” 

Her eyes sparkled as she watched him swallow 
a second cup. 44 What do you think of the cook? ” 

44 I think the cook’s an angel.” 

44 Have you finished? Then to bed with you.” 

44 I’m off. Just hold the Wisp to the course 
she’s on. Call me when you can make out the land 
distinctly.” 

He patted her benevolently upon the shoulder 
and started forward. 44 Well, here goes the weary 
sea-boy to his slumbers.” 

110 








She waved her hand as he descended the fore- 
castle ladder. 

In a little while he slid back the overhead hatch 
a foot or so and looked out. He was invisible 
to the fair helmswoman, but the coils of her hair 
shone just above the top of the cabin roof. 

44 I’m almost asleep,” he called. 44 Good-night, 
Betty dear.” 

He held his breath. Would the intimacy 
wrought of the night’s peril and companionship 
avail ? An answer, low and very gentle, went with 
him to his dreams. 

44 Good-night, Bob White — dear.” 













ft* 



X 

When he awoke, it seemed to him that he had 
slept a scant half-hour, but his watch, which had 
come unscathed through the wettings of the 
night, showed that mid-afternoon had come. 

The Wisp rose and fell very gently, and he 
thought with satisfaction that the sea must be 
entirely calm. 

In the tiny bath-room of the forecastle, he 
revelled in a fresh-water bath. As he passed the 
looking-glass, he surveyed, his face ruefully. In 
vain to lament his looming beard! A diligent 
search failed to reveal the razor he had hoped 
Danton’s boatman might have left. 

It was only when fully dressed and engaged 
in smoothing down his hair as best he could that 
he became aware of a strange thing. There w T as 
no sound of rippling water under the Wisp's bow. 

And then he realized that the gentle motion of 
the sloop could not be caused by the rise and fall 
112 


& 



I.,-- 





of the Atlantic swell — a swell majestic even at 
its calmest. The Wisp was not under way, but 
was at anchor in quiet waters! 

He ran up the ladder, shouting-: “ Betty ! Betty ! 
What’s up? ” 

For his pains, he bumped his head on the half- 
closed hatch-cover, and for answer to his call 
heard — nothing. With another cry of “ Betty ! ” 
he leaped upon deck. 

There was no Betty. In a quiet inlet the Wisp 
was lying alongside a float connected by a plank 
to a pebbly beach. A tongue of land separated 
the harbor from the outer ocean. At a little dis- 
tance on this sandy tract appeared a straggling 
group of houses, and anchored near the Wisp was 
a steam yacht, a pretty craft all white and gold. 

All this he took in at a glance. A second dis- 
closed a note pinned to the hatch-cover. He had 
it open in short order. 

Boatswain Bob : 

I couldn’t bear to wake you. A man who helped me 
make fast the Wisp says this is Currituck Sound, and the 
city (?) is Kitty Hawk. I’ve gone to get some things. 
Be sure your clothes are dry. 

Nancy Lee, A.B. 

Kitty Hawk was on the chart — of so much he 
was certain — and he guessed that it contained a 
113 








In front of it a wooden bench extending along 
the sidewalk, and three or four lank loungers 
thereupon, furnished irrefutable proof that the 
centre of Kitty Hawk’s business activities was at 
hand. 

He remembered that he had not had a sight 
of Betty for five hours, and he pushed open the 
door of the “ Bazaar ” eager to see again the 
roguish mouth. 

114 


BAZAAR. DRYGOODS AND GROCERIES. 
POST-OFFICE. 


shop to supply its needs. He determined to pur- 
chase some sadly needed apparel for himself. In 
the shop, too, he would be certain to find Betty. 

Still a little languid from his experiences of the 
night, he strolled leisurely along the sandy path. 
The day was clear and pleasantly warm. On his 
left the sun glinted upon the now kindly sea, and 
on his right the seagulls shrieked and fought 
above the waters of the sound. And presently 
he would see Betty. 

He entered the village. The few people he met 
greeted him with a stare of frank curiosity, a 
stare generally followed by a friendly nod. 

As he had anticipated, he soon came upon a 
building bearing a sign: 


To his disappointment, she was not in the shop. 
However, the proprietor, a sandy-haired native 
inclining to corpulency, was prompt to supply his 
needs, nor was he backward in answering Fessen- 
den’s question as to whether or not he had seen a 
young woman in a white sailor-suit. 

“ You-all are off the sloop ’at come in jest aftak 
the big yacht, I reckon. Yes, suh, yoah wife’s 
jest been heah.” 

“My wife!” 

He could have bitten his tongue off the next 
instant, for the man gave him a sharp, not to 
say suspicious, look. 

“ Yes. The young lady’s yoah wife, I reckon, 
suh. Her and you-all come togethah, didn’t yo ’? ” 

“ Yes — no — that is ” stammered Fessenden. 

The shopkeeper stopped in the act of wrapping 
the assortment of haberdashery and razors Fes- 
senden had picked out. 

“ It ain’t my way to quawl with good money,” 
he said, “ but I’m a professin’ Baptist, and I’m 
obliged to say if yo’ two folks have come sailin’ 
round these parts ’ithout bein’ lawfully married 
— well ” — he sighed regretfully — “ then, suh, you- 
all can’t buy nothin’ in my stoah.” 

But by this time Fessenden had recovered his 
115 





co’se. Yes, suh, I can see now she does favah 
you-all a heap.” Although desirous of being con- 
vinced, his suspicions still lingered. 44 But you-all 
are a pretty young-lookin’ fathah, that’s a fact, 
suh.” 

44 Forty isn’t very young,” returned Fessenden 
mendaciously. 44 Which way did you say she 
went? ” 

44 Why, she met some of yoah friends from the 
big yacht. They was in aftah theyah mail. 
They-all went out togethah. Yoah friends beat 
you-all consid’abul, didn’t they?” 

His friends on the big yacht? What was the 
fellow talking about? Fessenden repressed a half- 
uttered question. No need to reawaken the man’s 
slumbering suspicions as to the character of him- 
self and Betty ! He settled his bill, and left the 
44 Bazaar,” bundle in hand. 

The shopkeeper’s talk had stirred him pro- 
foundly. Betty? Good Lord ! For the first time 
he saw how others might look upon their enforced 
cruise together. She was almost a child, true ; 
but was she near enough to childhood to be beyond 
the breath of scandal ? This was a devilish mess ! 




He could not bear to think of himself' in such 
a light. Far less could he patiently endure that 
through any fault of his- — yet his fault was only 
his presence — her name should be blackened. What 
could he do? His feet lagged as he pondered, 
his head hanging. 

He knew that Aunty Landis must have borne 
the news of their disaster to Sandywood. What 
would thoughtless Polly Cresap say when she 
learned that he and the farmer’s pretty daughter 
were not drowned after all? And impertinent 
Harry Cleborne? How would Madge Yarn ell 
judge him? With brooding scorn, perhaps. As 
for Charlie Danton — Fessenden could picture all- 
too-clearly his bitter smile, the scar-line twitch- 
ing the corner of his mouth. By God! he would 
suffer no sneer from Danton. 

He wondered if any of the villagers had conveyed 
to Betty, even by a look, the suspicions that ac- 
cursed shopkeeper had thrust upon him ! Fie 
would find her at once. His presence might act as 
some sort of shield for her. 

Conscious that some one blocked his way, he 
glanced up sharply. Charlie Danton stood before 
him — Danton, not sneering, not even smiling, but 
watching him very gravely. 









XI 

So near had Danton been to Fessenden’s 
thoughts that he was able instantly to connect 
the Baltimorean’s presence with the shopkeeper’s 
talk of the people from the steam yacht. He was 
the first to speak. 

“ Where’s Betty?” 

“ She’s with my wife — on the West Wind 

“ Your wife? ” 

“ Yes. I was married two days ago.” 

“Danton! You — married? You’re joking, old 
man.” 

“ Not in the least. I was married last Sunday 
— to Madge Yarnell.” 

“ Madge Yarnell ! What ! ” 

“ Is Mrs. Charles Danton,” said the other. 

Fessenden was too dumfounded to do aught but 
stare. His friend slipped an arm through his and 
turned him about. 

“ There’s room for us on the bench there. Let’ 
118 











talk it over. Madge and Betty are doing the same 
down in the sand-hills now.” 

Fessenden yielded without a word, and they 
seated themselves on the bench. 

Danton was a man under thirty years. He was 
slight and pale, and had much of the abrupt 
manner of that ancestor who had come to Balti- 
more in the train of Jerome Bonaparte, and who, 
like his master, had found a wife there. 

44 You’re really married? ” said Fessenden. 44 By 
Jove! I can’t get over it. To Madge Yamell, 
too. Then what in the world has become of — 
of— ah ” 

44 Of a certain other lady? ” appended his 
friend with perfect coolness. 44 1 don’t blame you 
for wondering about her. But never mind now. 
I want to tell you about my wedding. It was 
unique in the history of the Chesapeake, I promise 
you.” His laugh had a ring of heartiness that 
surprised his listener. 44 Tom,” he went on, 44 I’ll 
be frank with you. I’ve been in more than one 
crooked path in my time, but I’m through with 
that sort of thing. Thank Heaven ! ” 

The other’s amazement f ound expression. 44 1 
swear I don’t know you. What’s come over you ? ” 
44 Love,” said Danton simply. 44 Madge’s love, 
it means. She says she has told you 
119 




of that tearing down the flag matter last year. 
That proved to me and to her that I owned her 
— I’d known for a long time that she owned me , 
you understand — but after that affair she sent 

me away, and I, in revenge, went after I 

was a cad, I know. Well, I hope I’ll never be 
again.” 

“ About your wedding, old man ? ” 

“ I’m coming to that — and I’ll skip the long 
story between. Last Saturday, after Madge met 
you and Betty on the road, she galloped to Sandy- 
wood Station, and sent me a reply to the wire I’d 
sent you.” 

“ A bit cool, that.” 

“ I’ve got it my pocket now. Here ! ” He 
read the bluish slip, smiling faintly the while. 

Charles Danton 

The Club, Baltimore. 

Impossible to come, but understand. She promises to 
be West Wind eight o’clock Sunday night, ready. 

“ Hum ! What did that mean ? ” 

66 It meant that I thought I understood. I 
thought that you had discovered the — the Other 
Lady, in the farm-house where she was hiding 
from me. I believed she’d told you to tell me she 
was ready — at last. I’d had the Wisp stored for 
that very reason, you know, and then shifted to the 
120 







rr 

X 


West Wind because it was larger and more sea- 
worthy, in case she wanted to go right across to 
Gibraltar.” 

“ Was it as near a thing as that? ” 

“No matter now. The result of the telegram 
was that I was at Polocoke landing and aboard the 
West Wind by eight o’clock Sunday night. I 
give you my word I never dreamed of a trick — 
who would? ” 

44 I don’t see ” 

“ You will in a moment. My skipper, Williams, 
met me as I came aboard. 4 She’s below, sir,’ he 
said, 4 and gave orders we were to put to sea just 
as soon as you turned up.’ Faithful soul ! He 
didn’t know he’d been tricked either — doesn’t know 
it yet, for that matter. He’d run away with the 
Queen of India if he thought I wanted it done. 
4 Right,’ I told him. 4 Shove off, and go full speed 
as soon as you’re clear.’ With that, I dived down 
into the main cabin. She wasn’t there, and I 
looked into my stateroom. I couldn’t see her 
there either, so I stepped to the inner stateroom — 
the two connect, you understand — where I thought 
she must be.” 

He smiled soberly at Fessenden’s interested face. 
44 Tom,” he said, 44 every word I’m telling you is 
for your soul’s good. It’s all the truth, but it’s 
121 







a parable, too — for you. Well, as I reached the 
door-way between the two rooms, somebody seized 
both my elbows from behind. By George ! She’s 
as strong as a man. ? ’ 

“ What ! Not ” 

“ Yes, Madge.” 

44 Great Scott ! I begin to have a glimmer.” 

44 1 had just time to see that it was Madge 
before she pushed me inside — into the inner room 
- — and slammed the door behind me. It locked 
with a spring.” 

44 She was outside? ” 

44 Yes, in my room. I was inside that.” 

44 1 understand.” 

44 Precisely. I fancy I don’t need to tell you 
much more. I was a prisoner in my own yacht, 
and that yacht headed full speed down the bay, 
my men acting upon what they thought were my 
own orders. A lovely girl was in my room. I 
was as much separated from her as if I were in 
the moon, but my own crew couldn’t know that, 
and neither could the world.” 

44 She’s a heroine.” 

44 She is — the most adorable in the world ! She 
talked to me through the closed door. What she 
said — well, that’s only for her and me. I saw at 
122 




last what a mad fool I’d been. Then — then she 
threw herself on my mercy.” 

“ You seem to have played the man.” 

“ She’d make a man of a snake ! I saw myself 
in my true light at last ; and I understood her at 
last. God bless her ! ” 

“ Amen ! ” 

“We ran on down to Old Point Comfort, and 
the chaplain at the fort married us that same 
night.” 

The two men shook hands. 

“ After we left Old Point,” went on Danton, 
“ we cruised about a bit, got mussed up by the 
storm, and ran in here. And then you — you and 
Betty appeared.” 

His emphasis brought a penetrating look from 
Fessenden. 

“ You said you were telling me a parable. You 
don’t mean — surely you can’t — Betty ! ” 

“ I do.” 

“ Do you dare to think ” 


“ I don’t think anything. What I say is that 
my case furnishes a parallel to yours.” 

“Speak out, man! What! You mean you 
think I ought to marry her? ” 

“ Well, then— yes.” 

“ Good God ! Marry Betty ! ” 

123 








“ Yes.” 

Fessenden rose abruptly to his feet and walked 
away a few paces. He stared unseeingly across 
the stretch of sand to the sea beyond. 

A hundred images of Betty flitted before his 
mind’s eye — images graceful and smiling, sad and 
gay, merry and serious, always infinitely winsome. 
Her voice sounded in his ear — teasing, angry, 
kind — always low-toned and charming. 

He faced Danton. 44 Marry her? I’ve been 
wanting to do that very thing since the first 
minute I saw her — only, I didn’t know it.” 

His friend’s face shone with relief and 
pleasure. He broke into a boyish laugh. 

44 Great ! ” he said. 44 You’re the right sort, 
Tom. I knew it, and I told Madge so.” 

Fessenden could not respond to the other’s 
mood. 44 All very well. But what will Betty 
say? ” 

44 Ask her.” 

44 1 intend to. But is she old enough — is she 
in a position — to understand? ” 

44 1 tell you, yes.” 

44 And I tell you I’m very doubtful. A mere 
child, a country girl, ignorant of the world, 


ft 


& 








3 



a hard position for me, and it may be worse — 
it may be horrible — for her.” 

“ Ask her,” repeated Danton. “ Look there ! ” 
He levelled his walking-stick. “ Do you see the 
dunes there — the second hill? Somewhere beyond 
that you’ll find Madge and Betty.” 

Without another word, Fessenden pulled his cap 
over his eyes and strode off. 

He skirted the first hillock, and on its farther 
side came abruptly upon Madge Danton. She 
gave him a warm hand. Her eyes had lost their 
defiant look; rather, it seemed to him, they in- 
cluded the world in their gentle glance. 

“ You’ll find her beyond the next hill,” she 
said. 

“ You’ve talked to her — as Danton talked to 
me?” 

“ Yes. She understands — her position. I know 
I don’t need to warn you to be — careful.” 

64 No, no.” 

He did not find Betty beyond the next hill, 
nor the next. But, hastening down the hollow 
ways, he almost stumbled over her at last — on a 
sunny slope above the sea. 

She looked up at him, her eyes as clear as 
crystal. “Hello, Boatswain Bob!” 






knew that not so much what lie should say in 
the next few minutes, as how he should say it, 
might determine the course of their lives. He 
longed with all his strength to be given a divine 
tact and a divine gift of speech. 

He threw himself on the sand at a respectful 
distance. 44 Hello, Nancy Lee ! ” 

Thanks to Kitty Hawk’s 64 Bazaar,” a scarlet 
ribbon again shone at Betty’s throat. Her hair 
was as he had last seen it — coiled superbly about 
her head. Again he felt the air of dignity and 
aloofness of which the coiled hair seemed the 
symbol. 

Fessenden’s eyes, quiet and tender, met her own, 
his glance as clear as hers. 

44 Betty,” he said, very simply, 44 we’ve been 
through a lot together, and I want you to marry 
me. Will you? Don’t think I’m asking you be- 
cause of any chivalrous fancy. I want you be- 
cause I love you, and for nothing else in the 
world.” His own words fired him. 44 Dearest, 
I’ve loved you since the first minute I saw you. 
You know that — in the bottom of your heart, you 
know that’s true.” 

Her eyes, which at first had met his unwaver- 
ingly, quailed a little. The red crept slowly into 
her cheeks. 


126 



ALL THE CHIVALRY IN FESSENDEN S NATURE STIRRED AT HER WORDS 

















“ I’m only a — a country girl,” she said. 44 And 
you’re the famous Mr. Thomas Fessenden. I 
didn’t know your real name until Madge told 
me, you know.” 

44 Will you marry me, Betty?” 

She eyed him soberly. 44 Madge said I must 
say yes, if you asked me.” 

44 You poor child ! Don’t mind what she says. 
I want you to love me, if you can.” 

44 I like you thoroughly, Bob White.” 

44 Is that all? ” 

44 That’s all — I’m sorry,” she answered gravely. 
44 To marry a man, and not to love him, would be 
— horrible.” 

All the chivalry in Fessenden’s nature stirred 
at her words. His clenched hands sank to the 
wrists in the soft sand, and his voice shook a 
little as he answered: 

44 Not if — if we marry, and still remain only 
— friends.” 

Her glance searched his soul. 44 O-oh ! Can 
you — mean what you say? ” 

44 1 give you my word of honor. Do you re- 
member that night — good heavens ! was it only 
last Friday? — that night I had supper at your 
house, and what I told you when you looked as if 
127 







you were willing to say good-night in a certain 
way? ” 

“ I remember.” 

“Well, I’ll stick by that.” 

She rose to her feet. 

“ You haven’t answered me yet,” he protested. 

Her face flushed exquisitely. “ There’s a 
church in Kitty Hawk,” she said. “ And I be- 
lieve a minister comes over from the mainland once 
a month. Madge says he is due — to-morrow. 






XII 


They were married in the little Kitty Hawk 
church at noon the next day. 

Before the hour of the wedding came, cer- 
tain matters had been attended to. Letters had 
been written in time to catch the launch which 
would return with the minister from Kitty Hawk 
to the mainland. The clothing stock of the 
“ Bazaar ” had been materially reduced by the 
demands both Betty and Fessenden had made 
upon it. The Wisp had been loaded with every- 
thing in the way of food, water, and utensils, that 
could be needed for a fortnight’s cruise. 

“ Why bother with the sloop ? ” Danton had 
demanded. “ There’s plenty of room on the West 
Wind. We can all go honeymooning together, 
eh, Madge? Over to Bermuda, if you like.” 

To Fessenden’s infinite relief, Betty had de- 
clined this well-meant offer. “ No, thank you,” 
she had said, blushing a little. “ After to-night, 


129 



I’ll go back to the dear little Wisp — where I’ll 
belong, you know. Bob White is going to take 
me down through the sounds, and then back 
through the Dismal Swamp, home.” 

Madge and Danton, supplemented by the entire 
crew of the West Wind , were the witnesses at the 
wedding. 

It seemed to Fessenden that Betty’s eyes were 
bluer than the sea that broke on the inlet bar, 
and the light in them more mysterious and won- 
derful. She looked a fair and innocent child. 

He answered the minister’s questions, and even 
signed the marriage certificate, in a sort of daze, 
a daze from which he roused himself only after 
they had eaten the wedding breakfast on the 
West Wind , and having boarded the Wisp , were 
waving farewell to the others across the water. 

Betty serenely assumed command. “ I’ll take 
the wheel, Boatswain Bob,” she said, “ and you 
get up sail.” 

He cast off from the float, and set jib, flying 
jib, and mainsail in a trice. As the sloop gath- 
ered headway, the helmswoman stood under the 
stern of the larger yacht. 

“ Good-by, good-by, children,” called Danton 
patronizingly. 

130 



6 



chorused 


people, 


“ Bon voyage , children,’ 

“ Be sure to love each other.” 

“ Good-by, old married 
Fessenden. 

The Wisp stood wing-and-wing down the 
sound. Fessenden lounged at his ease beside the 
charming captain. 

“ Betty,” he said, “ has it yet occurred to you 
that you are really my wife? ” 

She gave him a swift, half-frightened glance. 
“ No-o. I haven’t really had much time to think 
about it, you know.” 

“ Just now it came over me in a sort of wave. 
If you don’t object, I’ll call you 6 dear ’ occasion- 
ally, simply to assure myself it’s true.” 

“ Whenever you like,” she returned politely. 

“ Dear!” 

“Oh! That’s rather — pronounced, isn’t it?” 

“ Very well pronounced. Very pleasant to 
pronounce, in fact.” 

She sat down trustfully beside him, a guiding 
hand on the wheel. “ Do you know, Bob White, 
I’ve often thought it would be delightful to sail 
like this with a ra-ther good-looking — comrade? ” 

“ Am I the man, may I ask? ” 

“ You are.” 



. — 






I’d give my hope of salvation to sail like this with 
Betty Landis?” 

She gave him another quick glance. “ With 
whom? ” 

“ I mean with Betty Fessenden, of course.” 

“ 0-oh ! ” 

“ I’m dreaming now of sailing on and on with 
her. The other night I dreamed that she put 
‘ dear ’ after my name, and that if we could only 
sail and sail long enough she might do it again.” 

His half-closed lids hid the warmth in his eyes, 
but his voice shook with the passion he struggled 
to control. She shrank a little. 

“ You needn’t,” he said. “ Please don’t. You 
can trust me absolutely. I — I was merely dream- 
ing, you know.” 

“ I didn’t mean to hurt you, Bob White — dear. 
Trust you? My presence here shows that I do — 
you know that.” Her fingers touched his hair so 
fleetingly that he hardly dared believe she had 
meant it for a caress. 

Presently she relinquished the wheel to him and 
took his place among the cushions. 

He noticed how round her throat was, and 
how deliciously white. The rose-tipped chin and 
red mouth held him fascinated, until the glint 
132 








of bayonets in the eyes warned him to control 
his glances. 

44 You’re the most adorable skipper I ever saw,” 
he declared. 

44 I’ve a confession to make, Boatswain.” 

44 Confess then, Nancy Lee.” 

44 My ankle wasn’t hurt that day in the brook. 
I didn’t really stumble.” 

44 What ! ” 

She nodded contritely. 44 No. I did it on pur- 
pose. Wasn’t it perfectly shameless? ” 

44 I’ve had a far-away feeling that you made 
a miraculous recovery from that strain. But 
why did you pretend? ” 

44 Just as a game. I wanted to see what the 
— the good-looking stranger would do.” 

44 You found out.” 

44 Goodness, yes, didn’t I ! ” They laughed to- 
gether at the thought. 

44 Madge and Charlie Danton,” she went on — 
44 do you think they’re really in love? I mean, 
do you think their love will last? ” 

44 Don’t you ? ” 

44 Ye-es, I do. She has just enough esprit de 
diable to hold him. It is 4 infinite variety ’ that 
pleases him, I fancy, and Madge is twenty women 
in one.” 

133 



“ You’re a philosopher. By the way, where 
did you learn French? Do they teach that in the 
‘little red-roofed schoolhouse ’ in Maryland?” 

“ Haven’t I told you about my teacher? And 
I went to a very good school in Baltimore, if 
you please.” 

“ That reminds me that I know hardly any- 
thing about my own wife — only that her name 
was Betty Landis.' You once told me that your 
mother was well-connected, Betty. Who was 
she? ” 

The mainsail sheet, which she had been care- 
lessly handling, at that moment slipped through 
her fingers, and the boom went flying out. He 
was barely able to keep the sloop from jibing. 

“ Be careful, child,” he warned. “ Take a 
turn or two around that cleat there.” 

“ Bob White,” she said, when affairs were 
again in order, “ I’ve been thinking — of what you 
must be giving up in marrying me. I don’t mean 
only your bachelor freedom, although I know 
that’s precious to a man. But you are giving 
up — everything.” 

“ I’m lucky to get the chance.” 

“ Perhaps I’ve spoiled your career.” 

“ Nonsense ! ” 

“ It may not be nonsense. You are a man of 
134 




Paoe 135 



a different world from the country one you found 
me in. It was only an hour ago we were married, 
but I can see already that I was perfectly mad 
and unutterably selfish to let you sacrifice your- 
self for me. A braver girl — a better girl — 
wouldn’t have cared what silly society might say. 
I was wicked to marry you ! ” 

“ Tut ! tut ! ” 

“ I’m perfectly serious — miserably serious.” 

“ Then I’ll be serious, too. I admit that you 
and I ought to be different, but we aren’t. I 
don’t know why it should be so, dear, but we both 
4 belong.’ We’re the same sort. You must feel 
it as well as I.” 

All that golden afternoon they sailed, and all 
the afternoon they talked. Her mind played with 
a hundred fancies, grave and gay, and Fessenden 
heard her with delight, and with ever-renewed 
wonder. She seemed to him a sort of Admirable 
Crichton, possessing heaven-sent intuition of all 
that was rare and charming and useful. 

At dusk they lowered all sail, let go the anchor, 
and made the sloop secure for the night. 

Then, with his respectful help, Betty cooked 
the dinner, and served it on a camp-table in the 
cockpit. 

That dinner was Olympian. A sirloin steak, 
135 




deliciously broiled — 44 I intend to give you a 
man's dinner,” she had declared; French fried 
potatoes, as hot as the flames they came hissing 
from; coffee, as clear as amber; and fresh tea- 
biscuits which one was allowed to dip in Kitty 
Hawk honey. 

When the dinner things had been cleared away, 
they sat under the stars and watched the lights 
twinkle here and there from lonely cabins along- 
shore. Now and then Betty’s fingers strayed 
over the guitar she had borrowed from the West 
Wind. The light breeze sighed an answer through 
the cypress and tamarack trees of the swampy 
cape near-by. 

Betty pointed dreamily shoreward. “ The 
4 swampers ’ down here are a wild lot. During the 
ar my uncle was attacked by them — on the way 
down to his district.” 

“ His district? ” 

“ He commanded the Eastern Military District 

of North Carolina, you know, and — and ” 

She broke off abruptly. “ Oh, dear ! My foot’s 
asleep — terribly ! Will you put a cushion under 
it for me? ” 

44 One minute,” he said. “ I don’t quite make 
this out. If your uncle commanded a military 
district here during the war, he must have been 
136 


H 





a Federal general, 
you ” 


a man of distinction 


“ My foot’s asleep, and prickles dreadfully.” 

“ Just a moment.” She could feel the growing 
fixedness of his glance. “ I — remember — this sort 
of thing has happened before. On the island — 
Rincoteague — when I asked you what you knew 
about Madge Yarnell, you suddenly discovered 
that it was raining. This morning, too, some- 
thing was said about your mother, and somehow 
the sail got adrift at that very moment. You 
had hold of it. And just now your foot falls 
asleep in the nick of time. Betty, I don’t like 
this sort of thing! I’ve had enough confidence 
in you to marry you — to marry you very much 
in the dark. Isn’t it fair you should have con- 
fidence in me, a little? ” 

She was listening with half-averted face and a 
smile that baffled him. 

As he watched her, a score of confusing recol- 
lections rushed through his mind like fiery phan- 
toms : Madge Yarnell’s recognition of the envel- 
ope received from White Cottage ; her determined 
effort to accompany him thither the next day; her 
theatric assault upon them, whip in hand, on the 
road from Jim George’s — even yet he found it 
137 


yet 








hard to believe that they had narrowly escaped a 
tragedy ! 

Harry Cleborne, Fessenden had then imagined, 
had warned him against his pursuit of an innocent 
country girl, and had puzzled him by obscure 
reference to another man, and on top of this had 
denied all knowledge of Betty Landis. 

He recalled a hundred reticences and reserva- 
tions on the part of Betty, natural enough at 
the time, but now possessed of a disturbing sig- 
nificance. Her knowledge of the world ; her voice 
and bearing; the words she had let slip of her 
mother, of her Baltimore friends and school, of 
her uncle, the Union general ! What did these 
things mean? 

Light began to break upon him. Madge had 
not pressed upon them that day because she had 
discovered only him where she had expected to 
find Danton. Cleborne had really babbled of 
Danton and the Other Lady. Danton himself, in 
their talk on the beach at Kitty Hawk, had’ said 
that the Other had been in seclusion — hiding from 
his pursuit of her — in a farmhouse on the Eastern 
Shore. 

He towered over Betty in sudden fury. “ What ! 
What is all this? Who are you? Who are you, 
I say?” 

138 






> 


y 









The smile died from the girl’s lips, and she 
shrank before his white face and fierce eyes. 

Shame and rage so choked him that his words 
were almost incoherent, but they were the more 
terrible for that. She cowered away from him to 
the very limits of the gunwale. 

46 Oh, please ! ” she said. 44 Don’t ! Don’t ! Oh, 
please ! ” 

The tenderness he had lately felt for her came 
over him in a wave as he looked down at the 
shrinking figure. 

44 I — I beg your pardon,” he said. 44 I lost my 
head. Don’t be afraid — it’s all over now. I beg 
your pardon.” 

Without another word or look he turned and 
sought his room in the forecastle. 

Half an hour later, as he lay staring into 
the darkness, he heard a muffled beat, as of a 
drum. Betty was playing her guitar in her room. 

Gradually the drum-beat increased and quick- 
ened until it grew into a continuous roll, a throb- 
bing cadence that thrilled through and through 
him. The roar of the wind and the mutter of the 
sea were in the shattering roll of the drum. 

At the very height of its clamor — while he 
strove in vain to catch its meaning — it passed abrupt- 
ly into silence. He was left staring into the dark. 

- 139 




Toward midnight, the girl lying wakeful in 
the after cabin heard a tap at the door. 

44 Betty, are you awake? ” 

44 Yes.” 

“ Don’t be frightened, but I think there may 
he a little excitement out here pretty soon.” 

“What is it?” 

“ Some of the 4 swampers ’ up to a bit of thiev- 
ing, I fancy.” 

“ I’ll be out in a moment, Bob White.” 

She found him, clad only in shirt and trousers, 
leaning against the side of the cabin, and staring 
shoreward. She divined his frank smile, and 
smiled in return. 

“ Thieves? ” she asked in a whisper. 

44 I’m almost sure of it,” he answered in the 
same tone. 44 I heard a boat bump against the 
side of the Wisp a few minutes ago. I think they 
were drifting down with the tide to reconnoitre, 







7 


and were swept in closer than they had expected 
to be.” 

44 Have you a pistol? ” 

44 On the locker there. Lucky Danton lent me 
one of his. You aren’t afraid? ” 

44 Not — with you.” 

44 I dare say they won’t come back. Listen 
now ! See if you can make out anything to star- 
board. I’ll watch on this side.” 

The night was very dark. The stars were ob- 
scured by light clouds, nor was there a moon 
visible. Their eyes could penetrate the darkness 
little farther than the rails where a whitish mist 
hid the surface of the water. 

Betty gazed intently. A sidelong glance 
showed her Fessenden kneeling on the locker op- 
posite her, his half-bared arms folded on his chest. 
His powerful form gave her a comforting sense of 
protection. She stared again to starboard. 

From the mist two great hands gripped the 
rail of the sloop ! Then a face — the face of a 
negro — rose into view, a knife gripped in his 
teeth. So impossible, so barbaric, did the ap- 
parition seem, that for a long breath Betty stared 
spell-bound. 

Then her scream whirled Fessenden about. He 
crossed the cockpit at a bound, and struck sav- 
141 








agely at the negro’s jaw. The latter ducked 
with the skill of a trained boxer. Throwing up a 
hand, he caught the other by the throat, drag- 
ging him forward. 

Fessenden struck again, grappled with his an- 
tagonist, tottered, and plunged headforemost over 
the rail upon him. Both went down struggling 
wildly. 

Betty snatched up the revolver, hardly know- 
ing what she did, and stared down upon the boiling 
water. 

Fessenden’s ghastly face, his groping fingers, 
his throat from which stood up the handle of 
the reeking knife! The possibility of these things 
strained her mind to the breaking point. A horror 
of what the loss of him would mean to her drew 
a piercing cry: 

“ Bob White ! Oh, Bob White ! ” 

As if summoned by the sound, the two men 
rose into view — a yard apart. Betty fired on 
the instant. The shot went wild, but the negro, 
for the first time aware that firearms were at hand, 
dived deep. They saw him but once again, his 
head a black spot in the mist as he swam frenziedly 
for his drifting punt. 

Her shaking hands helped Fessenden over the 
rail. 

142 


H 




dreadful knife ! 


you 


“ You — that 
hurt? ” 

“ I knocked that out of his mouth the first 
thing. A couple of teeth along with it ! But the 
fellow can swim like an alligator — he w r ould have 
drowned me at his leisure, if you hadn’t fired. 
Thank you, child.” He patted her shoulder. 
“ The row must have been rather rough on you.” 

“ It doesn’t matter — so long as you’re safe.” 

“ It’s all right. Well, that 4 swamper ’ won’t 
bother us any more to-night, I’ll swear — so I’ll 
get out of these wet togs. Lucky they’re the 
flannels I borrowed from Danton.” 

She reached both hands to his dripping 
shoulders. “Tom! Tom! I want to talk to 
you.” She was laughing, yet half in tears. Oh, 
it’s ridiculous — it’s pitiful to think we are hus- 
band and wife, and — and you don’t even know 
my real name.” 

He stared down at her. A slow tremor shook 
him. “ Then you admit — that I don’t? ” 

“ I know you don’t, you — you silly boy ! Go 
and change your clothes. Then come back and 
talk to me. Come soon ! ” 

In a wonderfully short time he rejoined her. 
Only his damp hair showed his late struggle with 
143 


aren t 


the robber, but his very quietness betrayed his 
emotion. 

She was awaiting him on the cushioned locker, 
a lighted reading-lamp beside her. 

“Sit down here,” she said. “Close! You 
needn’t be afraid of me. I — oh, I’ve a hundred 
things to say to you ! ” 

“ Good. It was thoughtful of you to bring out 
that lamp. I can see your face better while you 
talk.” 

“ And I yours — you dear boy.” 

“ Betty ! Be careful what you say. I’ve got 
myself pretty well in hand, but I can’t stand much 
of that sort of thing.” 

She laughed deliciously. “ I brought the lamp 
to let you read something.” She produced an 
official-looking document. “ Look at this. Do 
you know what it is? ” 

He peered at it. “ No-o. Yes, of course. It’s 
our marriage certificate, isn’t it? ” 

“ It is. Mr. Thomas Fessenden, do you realize 
that you signed that document some twelve hours 
ago and didn’t even read the name just above 
your own? ” 

“Above mine? That must be your name, 
Betty ! ” 

“ Of course, silly boy. But you haven’t yet 
144 





You were so excited that you may have 
married an Abiatha Prudence or a Mary Ann, for 
all you know.” 

He gave her a penetrating glance, then snatched 
up the lamp and held it so that its rays fell full 
upon the certificate. 

Just above his own signature was another in 
a feminine hand: “Roland Elizabeth Cary.” 

He repeated it stupidly, “ Roland Elizabeth 
Cary.” 

She nodded, blushing hotly. 

“ You? ” 

“ Yes — please.” 

“ Not Landis? ” 

“ She was my old nurse. I’ve always called 
her Aunty Landis.” 

“ Roland Cary that they all talked about! Not 
a man, but you ? ” 

“Are you awfully disappointed? I was named 
after my great-uncle, General Roland Cary.” 

“ Great Scott ! Polly Cresap said Roland Cary 
was charming. Mrs. Dick Randall told me that 
he — no, that Roland Cary was a 4 dee-vil.’ Cresap 
quite raved over — over Roland Cary. I’ve been 
as blind as an owl ! ” 

“ It was wicked of me to fool you so long, but 
145 



t 



it was such a joke. All my cousins always call 
me Roland Cary, as if it were my only name.” 

“ Then you’re Elizabeth Cary — the Miss Cary 
of Baltimore that people made such a fuss about 
when you came out last year — ‘ the ’ Cary of 
4 the ’ Carys? ” 

“ I suppose I am.” 

44 I hope you’ll give me credit for never be- 
lieving that you were an ordinary person.” 

44 Yes, I do.” 

44 But why did you do it — masquerade in the 
Landis farmhouse? I remember somebody said 
4 Roland Cary ’ had 4 notions.’ ” 

44 I did it to be near a friend — to have a chance 
to shelter a friend without attracting notice. A 
woman — the Other — the one that Charlie 
Danton ” 



44 O-oh ! It must have been she Cleborne saw 
at the window — and I thought he was warning me 
about you ! ” 

44 I kept her out of harm’s way — really in hid- 
ing. I didn’t know how it would all end, but it 
did end perfectly.” 

44 You mean that Madge Yarn ell ran away with 
Charlie Danton, and solved the problem? ” 

44 Not only that. The very night before our 
elopement — yours and mine — she received a letter, 
146 


a dear letter, from her husband. They’d been on 
the point of making it up for weeks. You see, 
nothing impossible had occurred.” 

“ I see.” 

He had put down the lamp so suddenly that 
the light had flickered out. The mist was gone, 
and the velvety blackness stretched unbroken from 
shore to shore. Far down the sound, the red rim 
of the moon was rising from the water. 

44 Child,” he said, 44 for a young woman of 
your position you have married in a very reckless 
and off-hand way.” 

44 I knew you were — real. I knew I could trust 
you.” 

He gave a short laugh. 44 Thank you. But 
if we’re going up and down this weary world in 
— in this fashion, forever, I think I’ll soon begin 
to wish that the 4 swamper ’ had put his knife 
into my heart.” 

She caught him tenderly by the chin. 44 Oh, 
Bob White ! If you had never come back to me 
— out of that black water ! ” 

He trembled from head to foot. 44 Betty ! ” 

“ I know — I know. Dear — will you kiss me ? ” 

44 For God’s sake, Betty! You don’t know 
what you’re saying. After all, we’re husband 
and wife — a kiss between you and me can’t be 
147 



































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